Scripture: Luke 23:42-47
Then [one of the criminals hanging on the cross] said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” He replied, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, while the sun’s light failed; and the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Then Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.” Having said this, he breathed his last. When the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God and said, “Certainly this man was innocent.”
Daily Devotional: In a college art appreciation class, I saw Rembrandt’s etching, “The Three Crosses” for the first time (http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/rembp/ho_41.1.31.htm#). I can’t lie and say the class had been all that interesting before that moment. Yet that image not only grabbed my attention, but it haunted me. I had seen so many paintings of the crucifixion that somehow didn’t portray much suffering or pain. There tended to be a pleasant aura around the crucified Christ, and the colors gave a sense of calm…or even happiness. In Rembrandt’s etching, the darkness and contrasting light were challenging and somewhat intimidating. The first time I saw it, I found my breathing to be labored and heart rate increasing. I know it is only one person’s opinion, but I don’t know of too many other pieces of art that have captured the crucifixion so powerfully. Other pieces of art might portray excellent techniques and methods, but I believe most of them fall short of embodying the events of Good Friday. I am not one to dwell on the suffering or bloodiness of this day, yet it is impossible to truly embrace resurrection if no one has died. We must remember that Easter isn’t just a celebration of a new and improved life. It is life coming from death. Period! End of story!
Prayer: Help me, O Creator God, to find the courage to praise you as the centurion did…even in the ugliest and most difficult of times. Lead me to find hope and possibility when everything else indicates despair. Amen.
TONIGHT–FRIDAY
Experiencing the Stations of the Cross – 6:30pm
Good Friday Service – 7:30pm
Children’s Good Friday Experience – 7:30pm
SATURDAY
Easter Eve Service – 7pm
SUNDAY–EASTER
Collecting canned goods for NAM all morning
Sunrise Service – 7am
Quiet Traditional Service – 8:15am
Contemporary Service – 9:30am
Full Traditional Service – 11:00am
1 thought on “Ecclesiological Etchings: 03-29-13”
Dear Bruce, Your experience with the painting reminded me of the first time I saw Salvador Dali’s Crucifixion. As a young school girl my class visited the Glasgow (Scotland) Art Museum and one of the paintings stopped me in my tracks. When you stood at the foot of the painting it felt like the cross came right over your head. That painting drew me back many times, however a deranged man one day slashed the painting very badly, with the result it is now hung behind an iron fence. you can no longer stand at the feet! It is still a very powerful image. See Wikipedia, Dali’s “Christ of Saint John of the Cross”. Thanks for the daily post. I appreciate it. Love, Isobel
On Fri, Mar 29, 2013 at 7:57 AM, pastorfrogge