As Christians across the globe pause to reflect on the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ this weekend, I want to share a gallery of words with you that each give insight into the final scenes of Christ’s life. Or course I don’t want to leave it there however. I am praying that this picture, as painted by word artist Ty Gibson (Shades of Grace), will enable you to experience the love of God in a new and meaningful way and if this is the first time you are meeting Jesus, it’s important you know He did all this for you! — “I have come that (you) may have life, and (you) may have it abundantly.” (Jesus Christ, John 10:10)
To read this story in full, check out John 18-20 at www.biblegateway.com. To learn more in person, come join us for our Easter Service – this Saturday on the corner of Johnson and Devonshire Sts, Chatswood. Happy Easter! — Sue
“Words of Light in the Dark” by Ty Gibson
Nightfall. Moon. Stars. Men walking. Eleven. Not twelve. Stopping. Garden. Four. Walking. Heavy. Wondering. “My soul!” Sorrow. Dying. “Pray!” Drowsiness. Slumber. One. Alone. Lonely.
Staggering. Burden. Invisible. Internal. Falling. Prostrate. Agony. Weeping. Sweating. Bleeding. Pleading. Cup? Cup? Trembling. Struggling. Weighing. “Me?” “Them?” “Resurrection?” Grappling. “Me?” “Them?” Choosing. “Them?” “Yes!” “Them!”
Dying. Angel. Comfort. Strength.
Mob. Torches. Betrayer. “Master!” Kiss. Betrayal. “Friend.” “Why?” Flash. Glory. Powerful. Falling. Confusion. Free. Arising. Composure. “Who?” “Jesus!” Submissive. Grabbing. Sword. Slash. Blood. Ear. Reproof. Touch. Healing. Fear. Self-preservation. Fleeing! Abandonment. Alone again. Surrounded. Alone. Heldfast. Alone still!
Midnight. Darkness. Trial. High Priest. Religion without God. Expediency. Pride. Witnesses. Witnesses? Liars! Question. “Christ?” Silence. Question. Swearing. Answer. Unacceptable. Indignation. Spitting. Striking. Anger. Threats. Accusation. “Blasphemy!” “Guilty!” Guilty? Innocent!
Fire. Watching. Listening. Identified. Question. Denial. Question. Denial. Question. Cursing. Denial. Rooster. Crowing. Recall. Glance. Disappointment. Compassion. Shame. Weeping. Fleeing.
Betrayer. Realisation. Conviction. Remorse. Shame. Silver. Value? None! Desperation. Confession. “Stop!” “Never!” Hardness. Coldness. Run. Rope. Neck. Suicide.
Blindfolded. Mockery. Punch. “Who?” “Prophesy!” Laughter.
Morning. Bound. Walking. Pilate. Judgement. Trial. Accusations. Standing. Examination. Question. Answer. Conviction. Discernment. “Innocent!” Galilee. Galilean? “Ah!” “Herod!” Sent. Questions. Silence. “Pilate!” Returned.
Compromise? Release? “One!” “Who?” “Barabbas!” The Innocent. The guilty. Choose? The Guilty!
Soldiers. Brutality. Stripped. Tied. Leather. Bone. Metal. Sharp. Handle. Arm. Scourging. Lifting. Falling. Whipping. Tearing. Whipping. Tearing. Whipping. Tearing. Hanging. Bleeding. Dignity. Silence. Clothed. Scarlet robe. Crown. Thorns. Scepter. Mockery. “Hail!” “King!” Spit. “Good enough?” “No!” “Innocent!” “No!” Manipulation. Pressure. Basin. Hands. Washed. “Crucify!”
Cross. “Walk!” Heavy. Dragging. Staggering. Falling. Rising. Falling. Rising. Falling. “You!” Relief. Hill. Climb. Fall. Climb.
Wood. Nails. Hammer. Grabbing. Pushing. Holding. (No need!) Submission. Silence. Pounding. Penetrating. Tearing. Twitching. Jerking. Quivering. Shaking. Bleeding. Loving. Still! Observers. “Why?” Confusion. Tears. Fear.
Lift. Balance. Hole. Thud. Rip. Gouge. Hanging. Breathless. Gasping. Eyes rounded. Writhing. Agony. Looking down. Eye contact. Looking out. Eye contact. Tears. Lifting. Wrenching. Dropping. Pausing. Lifting. Wrenching. Dropping. Weight. Hands. Feet. Holds. Gaping. Vinegar. Refusal.
Cross. Crosses. Right. Left. Words. Reviling. “Save self!” “Us!” Reproof. Discerning. Acknowledging. Asking. Paradise. “Remember me?” Acceptance. Promise. Gratitude. Peace. Mother. Alone. Concern. “Son!” Please. “Mother!” Earthquake.
Forsaken? “Father?” “Why?”
Sky. Sun. Eclipse. Moon. Darkness.
Soul. Pain. Eclipse. Love. Light.
Unrelenting. Holding. Selfless. Triumphant.
Demons. Trembling. Realising. Defeat.
Peace. Submission. Trust. Eyes shut.
Darkness. Darkness? No. Light!
