Crown of Thorns

"Crown of Thorns"

"16 x 20" Oil on Canvas

This painting was the last one in a series of 12 called "Magnify." It felt weighty as I finished with this image of the crown of thorns. I wanted it to be laying on top of the linens that Jesus would have removed at the Resurrection and left in the tomb. The first painting that started me on this journey was the painting of Jesus' face that I felt was the Man of Sorrows.(Isa 53) Yet the painting portrayed a face of deep love, joy and compassion. What a juxtaposition. Likewise, I see the same contrast in this crown of thorns. A crown is generally a symbol of honor and respect but one made from thorns was meant to mock and humiliate.

When I sat down to think of an assortment of paintings I wanted to bring to life, a beautiful crown of pure gold, crested in stunning jewels came to mind. How valuable would a crown like that be? Then I imagined the crown of thorns and what it symbolized. Made of nothing of monetary value or worth, yet I saw the price that was paid from the one who bore the twisted crown for us.

As I look at this image and really ask what it means to me, I see Jesus removing these thorns and placing it down saying, "I'm not wearing that crown anymore." In the book of revelation, John sees Heaven open and One sitting on a white horse who is called Faithful and True. His eyes are blazing like fire, and on His head are many crowns. (Rev 19:12) I wonder, if I let the scripture come to life before me, what those crowns would look like, and what do they mean?

In the Gospels the Greek word "stephanos" is used regarding the crown of thorns. When we come to the many crowns Christ is wearing in Revelation, a different Greek word is used,"diadema." The diadema is for a crown that is royal. It distinguishes the crown as sovereign or kingly. To read that Christ is wearing many of these kingly crowns, could symbolize the kingdoms on heaven and earth He reigns over. "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our God and of his Anointed One! He will reign supreme for an eternity of eternities!" (Rev 11:15)

What do you think of when you see the crown of thorns? What words would you use to describe its meaning or value? What do you think Revelation is speaking about when it has an image of Christ wearing multiple kingly crowns?

Worthy Is the Lamb

"Worthy Is the Lamb"

24" x 24" Oil on Canvas

Throughout the Bible there are analogies of sheep and shepherds to illustrate the relationship between God and His people. In John we read, " My sheep listen to my voice, I know them, they follow me." Isaiah writes that "like sheep we have gone astray." Psalm 23 says, "the Lord is my shepherd and he makes me lie down in green pastures." Matthew writes that, "Jesus saw crowds and had compassion for them because they were harassed and helpless like sheep without a shepherd."

It gives us a sense of God's desire to lead, protect, and guide His people. In Luke when we read that the shepherd would leave the ninety-nine to go after the one lost sheep, we get a glimpse of God's deep love for His people and how valuable each one is to Him. We are invited into this profound connection between a shepherd and his flock and that starts to help us understand our relationship with God. But then we come into a deeper revelation of this relationship when Jesus tells us that a good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.(John 10:11) A foreshadow of what's to come.

In this laying down, Jesus goes from the good shepherd to the Lamb of God. (John 1:29) This title for Jesus ties together the Old Testament's sacrificial system where lambs were offered as a covering or atonement for sin. Jesus becomes the fulfillment of the law in the laying down and reconciles the world to Himself. It's here I'm taken by the complexity of Christ as both shepherd and lamb.

The phrase, "worthy is the lamb," comes from the book of Revelation where the One is on the throne holding a scroll that no one in heaven or on earth is worthy to open. An angel declares, in what feels like a hopeless moment, that there is one and it is the Lamb standing in the midst of the throne and all gathered. The Lamb takes the scroll and the heavenly choir erupts:

“You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals; For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood. Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, And have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth. Worthy is the Lamb who was slain To receive power and riches and wisdom, And strength and honor and glory and blessing!”

The word 'worthy' in Greek has a root meaning of weighing, or having the weight of another thing of value, like a scale. In Hebrew, there is a word for worthy that can mean fitting but it comes from the root word 'to see.' What this says to me is that the Lamb of God carries within Himself something of equal value or weight to God. He is worthy because He is the one who sees and is seen by God. This word for seeing is so rich it can also mean best friend!

In Psalm 23, where it says the Lord is my shepherd, the word shepherd comes from the same root word we just looked at above meaning to see. A shepherd is also one who sees and knows His sheep. Through this one word, ra'ah, we can see a connection between the word worthy and shepherd. It was hard for me to understand how Christ could be both shepherd and a lamb, but this word study has led me to see the connection is deeper than I could have imagined. The Good Shepherd is the Worthy Lamb of God. The one who sees - is the one who loves and the one who lays down His life for the sheep. Worthy is the lamb.

"Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends." (John 15:13)

For Such A Time

"For Such A Time"

16" x 20" Oil on Canvas

This is my second portrait of Esther from the story we read in the Old Testament. I love portraits and exploring the way light contrast against darkness and speaks more than any words I could write about it. I wanted to return to this image because I felt drawn to the cascading sunlight and the way it touches the single strands of hair making them radiate. It's subtle but powerful.

Esther's life was full of uncertainty and challenges yet she is known for her courage and faith. "For such a time," is often quoted from her story ( Esther 4:14) because it suggest that God has a purpose and a plan for each person's life. It shows us something of God's perfect timing, especially in challenging situations. It inspires us to take action and trust in the way God works all things for our good.

In this image of Esther, she is reflecting the light that is shining upon her. There is freedom on her face and glory as she steps into who she was made to be. As we take these steps into our created purpose we become like mirrors that reflect our Creator. It's not striving to be something, its embracing who we already are.

Paul writes, "But the moment one turns to the Lord with an open heart, the veil is lifted and they see. Now, the "Lord" Im referring to is the Holy Spirit, and wherever he is Lord, there is freedom. We can all draw close to him with the veil removed from our faces. And with no veil we all become like mirrors who brightly reflect the glory of the Lord Jesus." (2 Cor 3:16-18)

Esther turned to the Lord with an open heart. The veil of fear lifted and she walked into her purpose and saved a nation. My prayer for each one of us is to be able to turn to the Lord with an open heart and allow our eyes to be opened to His guidance, His wisdom, His love and become like mirrors that reflect His glory. Perhaps in such a time as this, your courage and your faith will be felt generations from now in ways you had never imagined.