Peace of Mind, Sacrifice of Heart
Canvas: 36”x 48”
Time: Approx. 3 hours
Cost: $1,500
Artist Statement
Theme: A Peace to Guard Your Heart and Mind—Advent 2017
For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. Colossians 1:19-20
Image: The figure of the Roman centurion wounded in battle represents each one of us; broken down by pain and disappointment with life, with God, and with ourselves. The figure holding the centurion represents Jesus, kneeling humbly with accepting arms. The blood flowing from Jesus’ side echoes His sacrificial love on the cross—He allows us to wound his heart when we fight against Him and go to war with each other. When the centurion realizes this, he is ‘pierced’ by Jesus’ love for him and finally gives up his fight, collapsing into rest, into peace; as he receives The Gift, he gives his life--his 'believe'--in return to Jesus.
In the image, the blood of Jesus and the centurion flows down and mingles together becoming eternally one, never to be separated. This represents our oneness with him. It’s His blood that courses through our veins—He is our very life. When we see His wounded heart bleeding because of us, our hearts are opened wide in response. We understand that sin and rebellion have caused us harm, not God, and we invest our 'believe' into Him and nothing else.
Ironically, while walking into the church to paint an image on the theme of ‘Peace,’ I was in the throes of anxiety from a work-related situation. When I confessed this to my brother Doug Glynn, he hugged me and prayed for me and on the spot. My focus shifted instantly away from the situation and back onto Jesus—at that moment I got a burst of confidence to paint this image, which had only come to me a few moments prior. Doug's 'believe' woke up my own 'believe'!
By knowing that He will come through in the end, we have peace with Him, and peace with each other—forever, Amen!