I am touched by this
painting by 19th Century Scottish painter William Dyce
(1806-1864). I think it is significant
that Jesus is pictured off to one side, with rugged and rocky wilderness
filling the rest of the scene.
This is probably the scene of Jesus' temptation and testing, as found in Luke 4.
With His head bowed, the
Savior solemnly prays to the Father. The sorrow is clear on His face, as He
likely pleads for changed human hearts. He probably ponders the rough road
before Him, including betrayal, grave mistreatment and a torturous death.
Even in His sorrow, though,
He understands the joy of certain victory. He fully knows the Father’s love.
He understands the cost
and is willing to pay for the sin of mankind. And He determines that we are
worth it.
Because of His sorrow,
we can know joy and victory and grace that lasts.
And
let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on
Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he
endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the
throne of God.
(Hebrews
12:1b-2, NIV)
Man of Sorrows
by William Dyce
c1860
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The Scripture memory tips series is
ongoing, but the April A to Z Blogging Challenge has started, and Heart of a
Ready Writer is participating again this year. Watch for the Bible memory
series posts, which may be interspersed with the Pictures of Jesus series during
the month of April.
Thank you, Jesus.
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