He is Risen


I have loved this picture since I first saw it in my freshman art history class. It comes from the Isenheim Altarpiece by Matthias Grunewald, which was painted for a monastery and hospital. The painting of the crucifixion shows Christ as weak and sick, covered in horrible sores. Then, he rises whole and clean and powerful from the tomb. I love the colors of this painting and I love the composition, with the soldiers on the ground and the large yellow aura surrounding Christ. It also reminds me of one of my favorite hymns by Parley P. Pratt, which is a study in contrasts as well:

Jesus, once of humble birth,
Now in glory comes to earth.
Once he suffered grief and pain;
Now he comes on earth to reign.
Now he comes on earth to reign.


Once a meek and lowly lamb,
Now the Lord, the great I Am.
Once upon the cross he bowed,
Now the chariot is his cloud.
Now the chariot is his cloud.


Once he groaned in blood and tears;
Now in glory He appears.
Once rejected by his own,
Now their King he shall be known.
Now their King he shall be known.


Once forsaken, left alone,
Now exalted to a throne.
Once all things he meekly bore,
But he know will bear no more.
But he now will bear no more.

I know he lives and that he can help each one of us become better and arise triumphant, both from death and from all our sins and mistakes and imperfections. Happy Easter!

Comments

Th. said…
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Happy Easter.
4/13/2009 4:45 PM
Kristi said…
Wow, I hadn't seen that piece before. I clicked through to see the whole piece and it's pretty spectacular. It's amazing how inspiration works through different people and media. My stick figure drawing skills just wouldn't do the scene justice, you know?
4/13/2009 11:56 PM
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