The towering sculpture of the Risen Saviour is a major attraction for pilgrims visiting Medjugorje, primarily because of the strange phenomenon that produces water and seeps almost continuously from the right knee. Any natural cause for this marvel has yet to be established.
But there is also another unusual feature about the sculpture, not always apparent, that can be considered even more “miraculous” than the water flow, which attracts the attention of most pilgrims.
To witness this extraordinary sight, one has to focus on the stylised countenance of Christ, which is about 20 feet from the ground. Lighting and the time of day will also dictate the clarity of what is seen. But under favourable conditions, the head of Jesus in profile (left) takes on the appearance of a lamb’s head (right). Christ becomes the Lamb of God, the sacrificial lamb who takes away the sins of the world and grants peace.
Should we be surprised by this mystery at such a place as Medjugorje, where millions of hearts have reconciled with Christ during the long history of apparitions?
“Be purified of sins and in Jesus, my Son, recognise the sacrifice of atonement for the sins of the entire world.” part message to Mirjana, March 2, 2008
Just as John the Baptist pointed out Jesus as the Lamb of God to two disciples at the River Jordan, Our Lady also reminds us to repent of our sins through Jesus and recognise the ‘sacrifice of atonement’.
Even though the Slovenian sculptor Andrej Ajdič has confirmed the lamb’s head was not intended when he designed the sculpture, the feature is there to be seen. It is visible but unrecognised. It requires pointing out, and even then, some are unable to identify the “lamb”. Notice the Lamb’s long ear, of the type shepherded in the Jordan Valley
Jesus remained unrecognised in this way for 30 years until John the Baptist referred to the Lamb of God: “Look, there is the Lamb of God”. Hearing this, two of his disciples followed Jesus. John 1 : 35-36
We can also link to this the fact that Our Lady first appeared at Medjugorje on June 24, 1981 – the Feast of the Nativity of John the Baptist. Like John, she also invites us to turn our attention to Jesus.
John also declared, “I did not know him myself, and yet it was to reveal him to Israel that I came baptising with water” (John 1 : 31). The water that exudes from the knee of the Risen Saviour has enabled many pilgrims to come to know the love and presence of Jesus in their lives.
That pilgrims queue to touch the spot where water flows from the right knee of the sculpture is symbolic of the crowds that flocked to John in the Jordan, seeking a baptism of repentance and also absolution of sins through the Sacrament of Reconciliation at Medjugorje, known as the ‘Confessional of the World’ .
