I try every year to spend contemplative time in the word and prayer during these 40 days.  I’m always amazed that every time, the Lord reveals a new expression out of my quiet times.  In 2020 during the pandemic we learned a lot about essentials; what is absolutely necessary, indispensable, crucial, and fundamental to live?  It was determined that medical facilities, doctors, nurses and staff, grocery stores, pharmacies, gas stations and banks were some of the essential services that stayed open to provide for people. Most other stores/services—even schools and churches were closed. 

 

The inspiration for this work came when I asked myself, what are the essentials for eternity?  To answer that, I had to take time and put aside all my previous images and use only what the Lord showed me this year.  I’ve always been a proponent of don’t say everything and say more with less.  And that is what I tried to do in this series.  I shut out all the noise and peripheral externals and kept only the bare bones.

 

I The Darkest Day; Friday;

 

This day Jesus hung on the cross bleeding, with nails piercing his hands and feet and was left to die.  It’s a dark, somber day of anguish, abandonment, hopelessness and sorrow.  Isaiah 53:5 says; But He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him and by his wounds we were healed.

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Essential 1; Jesus died

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I kept everything in neutral tones except for the red of His shed blood down the cross and into the bottom.

 

II The Deepest Night; Saturday

 

It was an in-between day; the Sabbath. There is a gap in scripture that does not reveal what happened on this day.  All we know is they had buried Jesus and no one could do anything—they had to wait. I don’t know if the sun was shining or it was dark, but I can imagine a heaviness and sorrow hanging over everyone and the anxiety about the unknown and the questions that flooded their mind. I imagined a somber cloudy day. All they knew was Jesus was in the grave. They didn’t believe or had forgotten He said He would rise again on the 3rd day.

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Essential 2; Jesus was buried

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The cross is missing but again I kept everything neutral except for the red texture for His shed blood.

 

III Brightest Morn; Sunday

 

This day finally arrives after a ponderous and anxious Saturday and is full of light, hope and an open grave!  Hallelujah God fulfilled His promise and Jesus rose from the dead and because of that we have eternal life! 

 

Essential 3; He  arose!
 

Still neutrals but more brightness and light and the repetition of the red texture for His shed blood.

                                       

I’m sure you noticed each piece has a repetition of one essential; Jesus’ shed blood. That repetition is on purpose because without Jesus’ shedding of blood we have no redemption.

 

These images are minimal, bold and conceptual but hold meaning, mystery and the opportunity to wonder.  May God reveal to you what He wants you to receive from them. Perhaps He wants you to take one more step and respond to these three essentials. If you have never acknowledged Jesus as your Savior or you’re not sure He is in your life you can pray something like I did on October 14, 1968 when I wanted to be sure Jesus had forgiven me and was living in my life.

 

Lord Jesus, I’ve gone astray and turned to my own way.  Thank you for making a way for forgiveness through your shed blood, burial and resurrection.  Please forgive me and come into my life and make me wholly yours.  Amen

 

Triptych, acrylic on board 

Matthew 26:39, Matthew 27:59-60, John 19:41-42, Luke 23:46, Luke 24:5-8, Isaiah 53:4-12