From Grünewald’s crucifixion to immigration detention Cover Image: Matthias Grünewald (1470–1528), Isenheim Altarpiece (1512–1516). Public Domain found here. Matthias Grünewald’s early 16th-century crucifixion painting is one of the most gruesome paintings of the crucifixion. Christ’s body is discolored, twisted, and studded with shards of wood and thorns. His extremities are twisted unnaturally and have turned a sickly green. As grotesque as the scene is, it’s not nearly as horrifying as Jesus’ body must have appeared on the cross. But something more important...
I am going through a series of art and poems based on the words Jesus spoke to women. This is based on the words Jesus spoke to his mother, Mary, at a wedding in Cana recorded in John 2:1-11. Grown now, Jesus calls me “woman”endearing me even knowing all my strugglesconstructing a family in the ruins of clashing empires at this wedding we dancerhythms of celebrationin a world of pressure and disappointmentthe wine loosens our grief until“they have no wine,” I...
As some of us celebrate Lent and as Easter Sunday approaches, I want to meditate on a few verses and share a screensaver image for your phone. “For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the...
Do you celebrate Lent with your church family? Our church is Protestant but loosely adopts some of the church calendar, so we celebrate Advent in anticipation of Christmas and Lent in anticipation of, and preparation for, Easter. I thought I’d share a few resources that you might find helpful: These coloring pages are all found free here on the blog. I’ve collected more coloring pages and printables on this Pinterest page. This printable Lent art journal with readings and space...
Sometimes it’s hard to get on this blog and say encouraging things, whether from a place of my own personal trials or the ones I share with those I love. And yet, the good news is still good. I hear the Savior say, “Thy strength indeed is small, Child of weakness, watch and pray, Find in Me thine all in all.” It’s hard for me to reconcile the goodness of God and pain. My tendency is to push...
I can’t think on much of anything more astounding than the sovereignty and patience of God in completing His plan for us. “It is finished” was the final cry of Jesus on the cross as He surrendered up His human spirit. Every prophecy was fulfilled. A perfectly righteous life lived. Every sin paid for. The great enemies (Satan, death, and sin) defeated. The veil (symbolic and physical) separating God and man torn (Matthew 27:50-51). If “it is finished,” where...
I don’t have a lot to write about today’s art. It’s enough just to meditate on these words of Jesus and the prophet Isaiah. Jesus was forsaken by the Father for us, so that we would never have to taste forsakenness. The Father turned His back on the Son as He bore our sins, an unimaginable disruption in the Trinity, so that God would never turn His back on us and our sins. Meditate on these words when you...
“Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food. Incline your ear, and come to me; hear, that your soul may live; and...
