O How He Loves You and Me (Romans 5:6-11)
This week I read about a painting from the Dutch Artist, Rembrandt entitled The Raising of the Cross. In reflection of Holy Week there was something beautiful, sad, and beautiful [again] about this image.
In the image you see Jesus being raised on the cross, and there’s no shortage of paintings like these as many artists have responded and painted powerful depictions of the Passion of the Christ. Rembrandt’s work was different in that he had painted himself into the work of art.
If you take a look at the image, the man at the feet of Jesus, with the blue beret is said to be Rembrandt himself participating in the crucifixion of Jesus.
The work of art in and of itself is beautiful.
The work of art is sad because it communicates a truth that, though this happened many years ago… still Jesus died for OUR sins (something Rembrandt seemed to have understood).
The work of art is beautiful in that, while we were still sinners… Christ died for us. He not only paid for the penalty of our sins… but he did so willingly (John 10:17-18).
O how He loves you and me!
This Sunday we are going to be taking a look at Romans 5:6-11 and swim around in this concept of God’s great love for us!
Hope to see you there!
Jason Ricafranca
6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— 8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. 11 More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
- Romans 5:6-11