English Standard Version
One way to read this story is to think about how we should all be more like Daniel, willing to risk anything, even if it means we're thrown into the lions' den.
The other way to read it is that Daniel's story is looking ahead to Christ's story. Jesus is the true Daniel who goes into the lions' den that we deserve -- we've broken laws that cannot be changed, and there is a punishment to endure for that. Jesus faces down the lions that would devour us, the lions that would snatch us away. Jesus endures the den, so that we might be set free.
The king endures a restless night, uncertain of how the story will end. It wouldn't be such a great story if it ended here, would it be?
In the same way, if the Gospel story ended in the tomb, with the lions winning, it wouldn't be such a great story. But that's not the end of the story, is it? After the night, no matter how restless, there is a dawn that breaks, and our hope rises.
What does it mean to you that the Son of God endured the true lions on your behalf?
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