For Christmas, my family gave me an art print that absolutely stunned me. It is Jesus hung on a dark cross with His head hung low, signifying His death. All artwork/depictions of Jesus are from the artist’s imagination. Someday we will see Him face to face. Today I saw another depiction of the true story of Jesus from behind on the cross. He is asking John to take care of His Mama. I can cry when I think about how she must have felt. What did she expect from her miraculous Son at age 33? Not this. I don’t mean to be fussy but Jesus had been beaten and had a crown of thorns. How could He hold His head upright? That is why I love my picture. I wish I remembered the artist but the print number is PXL-3293702. Jesus is nailed to a cross and, unless there was a rope around His neck, His arms were pierced and attached to the cross. The angels were not holding Him up as He carried the weight of billions and trillions of sins committed that offended God. Matthew 28:6, almost sounds like a correction. The angel says, “He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying”. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to the grave at dawn. ‘Just as He said’ is a teaching moment that everything Jesus said was true – even this miracle. The angel also watched as the two women departed quickly, with ‘fear and great joy’. I like that the fear is singular but the joy is great. Thomas wanted more proof and we do too when that longing prayer is not answered when and how we see it. The next time we see Jesus He will not be hanging His head low. He still has all authority in heaven and on earth and His return will be final and triumphant. Believe it!
