But
now He has appeared once for all at the end of the ages
to
do away with sin by the sacrifice of Himself.
Hebrews 9:26
As I sit at my patio table
writing, a chair that once was occupied is empty. My sweet dog, Lilly, who
would loyally sit beside me, died last summer. Death is heart wrenching,
especially the death of a beloved family member or friend. My word portrait
today revolves around a death—the death of Jesus Christ. His death is difficult
to look upon and impossible to describe, but His was the death to end death.
His death was a victory!
In the portrait three men are lifted on
crosses, with Jesus in the middle. On Jesus’ head is a crown of thorns. Thorns
and death entered this world when Adam and Eve disobeyed God. The crown of
thorns represents man’s sin. The wages of
sin is death (Romans 6:23).
The hands of Jesus that
reached out, touched and healed are now pierced, as are His feet. The face of
Jesus is swollen, disfigured from the striking of the soldiers. How hard it is
look upon this Messiah who willingly laid down His life. He suffered and died
for you and me.
The people around Jesus hold
various expressions. One thief being crucified sneers; the other looks upon
Jesus in awe. Looks of disgust are upon the faces of the religious leaders, but
the centurion has a look of wonder. That wonder will soon turn to conviction,
as he beholds Jesus’ death and declares, Surely
this man was the Son of God! (Mark 15:39).
One man passing by leads his
Passover lamb. That lamb’s gaze is upon Jesus. The sign above Jesus’ head reads, The King of the Jews (Mark 15:26), but
it could have read Behold the Lamb of God
who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29).
In my portrait, the eyes of
Jesus are fixed upon whomever beholds Him. He looks, not with condemnation, but
with love. Greater love has no one than
this, that he lay down his life for his friends (John 15:13). Jesus’ death
opened the way to life. Will you behold Him and believe?
Thank You, Jesus, for dying for me!
Jan Burkhart
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