Why continue resembling a slaughtered lamb?

[joe370]

**A question for my non-Catholic friends, a question, as a non-Catholic, that I could not answer. I could only answer the question from a catholic or eastern orthodox perspective:

Jesus the Christ is the son of David and the triumphant king of the new and heavenly Jerusalem, who died once and for all. He is the Lion of the tribe of Judah who defeated death once and for all, and He is the Lamb of God, slain from the foundation of the world, but, in His triumphant heavenly home (where he awaits His flock for which He was slain) - on the throne of eternal glory, after His crucifixion, His resurrection, His ascension and His enthronement, He still looks like a slaughtered lamb. He still looks as though He had been slain. Why not clean up Jesus’ body? Why not wipe away the wounds from Jesus’ body? Why continue resembling a slaughtered lamb, especially given the fact that He died once for all, so very long ago,** something believed by all Christians belonging to the PC’s, the EOC and the CC? ****

 

[KathleenGee]

From the Catholic side line…interesting this was brought up on the thread…

Yesterday thinking of my own life and its ups and downs…what image would I use now of Christ?..and it came to me the Sacrificial Lamb…

 

[CHESTERTONRULES]

**A question for my non-Catholic friends, a question, as a non-Catholic, that I could not answer. I could only answer the question from a catholic or eastern orthodox perspective:

Jesus the Christ is the son of David and the triumphant king of the new and heavenly Jerusalem, who died once and for all. He is** the Lion of the tribe of Judah who defeated death once and for all, and He is the Lamb of God, slain from the foundation of the world, but, in His triumphant heavenly home (where he awaits His flock for which He was slain) - on the throne of eternal glory, after His crucifixion, His resurrection, His ascension and His enthronement, He still looks like a slaughtered lamb. He still looks as though He had been slain. Why not clean up Jesus’ body? Why not wipe away the wounds from Jesus’ body? Why continue resembling a slaughtered lamb, especially given the fact that He died once for all, so very long ago,** something believed by all Christians belonging to the PC’s, the EOC and the CC? **

This is how Jesus is portrayed in Revelation, and it is also a good representation of his humility and love for mankind.

 

[puzzleannie]

**A **He still looks like a slaughtered lamb. He still looks as though He had been slain. Why not clean up Jesus’ body? Why not wipe away the wounds from Jesus’ body? Why continue resembling a slaughtered lamb, especially given the fact that He died once for all, so very long ago, something believed by all Christians belonging to the PC’s, the EOC and the CC? ****

yes and his children are still being slaughtered, persecuted, suffering, bleeding and dying, and will continue to do so on this earth until the completion of his Kingdom. As long as the sheep suffer, so does the Shepherd, which is why his sacrifice continues and has continued unbroken for 2000 years as celebrated on all the altars of all the Catholic Churches of the world as a memorial–making real and present–in obedience to his command.

 

[Barbkw]

We look for a Savior when we are in personal despair. In physical, emotional or psychological pain. It’s in those times, then that I remember Jesus upon the cross - suffering through His pain for us, prior to His death and Resurrection.

The slain ram’s body substituted for Isaac, the slain lamb’s blood saved the Israelite’s out of Egypt, the slain snake raised on a pole healed those in their exodus, and the slain lambs substituted for Israel’s sin. Covenants were sealed with the slain bodies of animals. They were the sign of new family bonds.

When St. Paul preached, he said he preached “Christ crucified”. And then, he said that if Christ had not risen from the dead, that all of our faith was in vain.

 

[joe370]

puzzleannie - yes and his children are still being slaughtered, persecuted, suffering, bleeding and dying, and will continue to do so on this earth until the completion of his Kingdom. As long as the sheep suffer, so does the Shepherd, which is why his sacrifice continues and has continued unbroken for 2000 years as celebrated on all the altars of all the Catholic Churches of the world as a memorial–making real and present–in obedience to his command.

I agree with you, and everyone thus far. I believe that the slain lamb, Jesus the Christ, as seen by His Father in heaven according to Revelation, is one of the illustrations as to why the CC, rightfully so, has sacrificial altars in every church, everywhere in the world, and has, since the genesis of Jesus’ church! The blood of our triumphant King, shed on Calvary once and for all, continues to be made manifest on every alter in the world, in fulfillment of the prophecy of Malachi, which has, like you said, been happening, unbroken, for 2000 years.

So true:* “As long as the sheep suffer, so does the Shepherd…” *

I suppose this thread is an attempt to see things through a non sacrificial lens, as per the non-Catholic perspective, regarding the lamb and why the lamb still appears slain long after Jesus was slain on the cross, at Calvary, as opposed to appearing as the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, and the conquering Davidic King, all of which He is of course. John turns to look, and what does he see in Revelation 5:6, between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders:

The Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star? Nope! The Davidic King, promised in the OT crowned with glory, which is what I would expect to see with my protestant glasses on? Nope! One would think so! After all, a lion and a king are the words used to describe it, instead, John says: “I turned and I saw a lamb standing, looking as though it had been slain.”

Most of my family is affiliated with a non-Catholic church and thus far has provided nothing for me to sink my teeth into, regarding that uniquely non-Catholic perspective. I believe that is because there is no satisfactory, non sacrificial perspective, regarding the slain lamb of Revelation 5, but am eager to hear something original from our non-Catholic brothers and sisters.

I would also enjoy hearing the various catholic perspectives to enhance my purview. I love to learn.

 

[Barbkw]

Also, the Crucifix is the fulfilled sign of the Jewish Messiah from Isaiah 53, prophesied 700 years before the birth of Christ.

"Who would believe what we have heard? To whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed? He grew up like a sapling before him, like a shoot from the parched earth; There was in him no stately bearing to make us look at him, nor appearance that would attract us to him.

He was spurned and avoided by men, a man of suffering, accustomed to infirmity, One of those from whom men hide their faces, spurned, and we held him in no esteem. Yet it was our infirmities that he bore, our sufferings that he endured, While we thought of him as stricken, as one smitten by God and afflicted.

But he was pierced for our offenses, crushed for our sins, Upon him was the chastisement that makes us whole, by his stripes we were healed. We had all gone astray like sheep, each following his own way; But the LORD laid upon him the guilt of us all.

Though he was harshly treated, he submitted and opened not his mouth; Like a lamb led to the slaughter or a sheep before the shearers, he was silent and opened not his mouth.
Oppressed and condemned, he was taken away, and who would have thought any more of his destiny? When he was cut off from the land of the living, and smitten for the sin of his people,

A grave was assigned him among the wicked and a burial place with evildoers, Though he had done no wrong nor spoken any falsehood. (But the LORD was pleased to crush him in infirmity.) If he gives his life as an offering for sin, he shall see his descendants in a long life, and the will of the LORD shall be accomplished through him.

Because of his affliction he shall see the light in fullness of days; Through his suffering, my servant shall justify many, and their guilt he shall bear.

Therefore I will give him his portion among the great, and he shall divide the spoils with the mighty, Because he surrendered himself to death and was counted among the wicked; And he shall take away the sins of many, and win pardon for their offenses."