Revelation

And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth.  (Revelation 5:6 ESV) 
Then I saw a Lamb that looked as if it had been slaughtered, but it was now standing between the throne and the four living beings and among the twenty-four elders. (NLT)


In reading the description of John's vision in Revelation, we have to wonder what he must have seen.  What did the Lamb look like that let John know it had been slaughtered?  There must have been scars on the Lamb, horrendous scars from the fatal wounds.  Trying to picture the Lamb with seven eyes and seven horns and visible signs of its slaughtering -- what a fearsome sight for such a gentle animal.  


Two words that we would never expect to say in the same breath:  fearsome and lamb.  But that's the picture and reality of our Lord Jesus.  He's the Lion of Judah and the Lamb of God.  He's the Gentle Shepherd and the rider on the white horse named Faithful and True who, in righteousness, judges and makes war (Rev. 19:11).  He is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end.  Words that are opposites of each other but in describing and naming our Lord, synonymous.  

Jesus - Name above all names; beyond description, beyond knowing; yet he reveals himself to us that we may know him and in knowing him, know the Father.  This mighty God reveals himself in love and humility.  As a baby, born to bring life to the world; as a man, dying to bring life to the world; taking our sin and shame upon himself, bearing our scars throughout all eternity.

He is, indeed, worthy of our worship and praise:  

"Therefore we praise you, joining our voices with Angels and Archangels and with all the company of heaven, who for ever sing this hymn to proclaim the glory of your Name:

Holy, Holy, Holy Lord, God of power and might,

heaven and earth are full of your glory.

    Hosanna in the highest.

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.

    Hosanna in the highest."  

(from The Book of Common Prayer)