Resurrection

The theme for this work, “the Resurrected Christ”, is based upon the biblical commentary of the event. The resurrected Jesus was reported not to have been initially recognized, or his presence believed by those he appeared to. Luke reported that Jesus had walked amongst women who had visited the empty tomb on the road to Emmaus,

… but they were kept from recognizing him.

When Jesus appeared before the disciples,

… he said to them, “Peace be with you.” They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost.⁾

Mark reported that:

…Jesus appeared in a different form to two of them while they were walking in the country. These returned and reported to them but they did not believe them either. Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating; he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen.⁾

 There are problems with representations of Jesus in that they particularise his features and physique. An extrapolation based on no physical evidence whatever. Firstly, there is the issue of racial identification. Jesus would have been a Middle-eastern Jew, which of itself is not a great deal of help. Most western painters have given Jesus a West European appearance.  Then there is the issue of the agony of Jesus on the cross, which is often represented in a romantic, rather limp way, as are representations of the resurrected Jesus. The image of the resurrected Jesus presents a particular problem. Apart from the issue of race, physical appearance and the interpretation of emotional expression, there is the mystery about the form which the resurrected Jesus took. Mark’s report that: “Jesus appeared in a different form”⁾, might hold a clue, intimating that he did not return in a form in which he could be recognised.

 I have attempted to resolve this problem by creating a figure which is out of focus and against the sun. the resulting figure would be difficult to identify, even to categorise although its stance suggests maleness. It is for the imagination of the observer to complete the image and determine its significance.

 Notes:

 The disciples were reluctant  to believe it: Lk 24:25-26  Mk 16:13-14;            

Lk24:11; Jn 20:24-25.

The disciples saw the evidence:  Lk 24:33-35;    Jn 20:8, 18, 26-28: Ac 2:32; 3;15; 4:33.

The risen Christ appeared to many people: Mt 28:16-17; Mk 16:14; Lk 24:50-52; Jn 20:19-23, 26-31;

21:1-2; Ac 1:9-11.

To Mary Magdalene:  Mk 16:9; Jn 20:11-18 Lk 24:13-15.

To Peter: Lk 24:34; 1Co 15:15.

To Paul: Ac 9:3-5 pp Ac 22:6-8, 26:12-15; Co 15:8.

To over 500 people; Ac 10:39-41; 1Co 15:6 .

To James: 1C 15:7.

 McGrath, Alister E., The NIV Thematic study Bible,