When i was with Daniell yesterday, i was drawn to a particular picture of the crucifixion of Jesus. it seemed more realistic than any others i had ever seen. the expression on Jesus' face spoke to me, not of pain but of the agonizing anticipation of pain. the painting was shrouded in shadows, with the only beam of light focused directly on Jesus.
it always puzzled my heart that only one person was lifting the heavy cross into place. later i learned from Dan that the painting was by Rembrandt. the solitary person struggling to raise the cross was in fact a self-portrait. the painting is extremely powerful. but understanding it in the context of the painter's life lifts its meaning to another dimension. it is Rembrandt's contrite confession of his own complicity in Jesus' crucifixion. it is more than a painting. it is a parable.
Jesus' parables open our eyes and expose our lives.
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