A commentary on the book of John alerted me to this painting by the artist Bondone. His resurrection interpretation is interesting to say the least. I'm not necessarily offended by it. I often imagine Jesus taking on the very role that is captured of him on the extreme right of the painting. He is victorious...yet distant. He is powerful...yet too powerful for our true human emotions. He has risen indeed...but I only see him from behind.
I'm sure Bondone was sincere and I confess my temptation to jump on board with his dramatic painting. However, simply pause for just a moment and realize the message being conveyed. Jesus is captured as not allowing Mary to approach him. Way off Bondone. Jesus seems as one hushing her and not allowing her to speak words of astonishment. Bandone, you didn't have to paint Jesus doing a stiff arm. Jesus may as well be saying, "Don't follow me."
But we know that Jesus appeared to reveal just the opposite of what may be conveyed in the painting. Jesus seeks not only fellowship and a following, but an actual dwelling place in the life of a believer.
If I could paint...and I cannot...I might have Jesus with both of his arms stretched out. Mary would be holding a flag of victory and Jesus would be the one trying to overcome his emotion to speak.
Everything rests on his resurrection. Or as John Updike says,
I'm sure Bondone was sincere and I confess my temptation to jump on board with his dramatic painting. However, simply pause for just a moment and realize the message being conveyed. Jesus is captured as not allowing Mary to approach him. Way off Bondone. Jesus seems as one hushing her and not allowing her to speak words of astonishment. Bandone, you didn't have to paint Jesus doing a stiff arm. Jesus may as well be saying, "Don't follow me."
But we know that Jesus appeared to reveal just the opposite of what may be conveyed in the painting. Jesus seeks not only fellowship and a following, but an actual dwelling place in the life of a believer.
If I could paint...and I cannot...I might have Jesus with both of his arms stretched out. Mary would be holding a flag of victory and Jesus would be the one trying to overcome his emotion to speak.
Everything rests on his resurrection. Or as John Updike says,
Make
no mistake:
If he rose at all
it was as His body;
if the cells' dissolution did not reverse,
the molecules reknit, the amino
acids rekindle,
the church
will fall...
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