The Empty Tomb

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Also see slideshow progress: Making 'The Empty Tomb'

I spent the last part of Lent home alone, pensively working away at this watercolour painting of the empty tomb of Jesus, getting it ready for the dawn of Easter Sunday to be able to say with millions of believers around the world:
He is Risen! 
...What an engaging, enriching experience. I had to force myself to stop and eat.

Shaping each crevice of stone was a slow, deliberative meditation on the marvelous implications of Christ’s death and resurrection. In this process, I almost heard the echo of Jesus telling the religious leaders that if his followers were to silence their praises, the very stones would cry out (Luke 19:37-40).

Then something quite strange happened. As I tilted the wet paper, the watercolours slowly ran down the rock layers like tear-stains and I felt a profound re-connection to the scripture about creation groaning with us in eager anticipation of all things being made new (Romans 8:22-23).

Then images flooded in - of Christ as the Rock from which springs of living water flow (Psalm 78:16, 1 Corinthians 10:4), Christ as the Cornerstone that was rejected (Psalm 118:22, Acts 4:11-12, 1 Peter 2:6-8). I recalled the astounding account of how the rocks split open at the moment of His death (you’ve got to read what happens in Matthew 27:50-54)!

And the best part now, as I write these reflections early on Sunday morning before dawn, I think of the angel’s words telling the faithful women at the tomb to be the first to go and proclaim the good news: "I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay"(Matthew 28:5-6).

Wishing you a blessed Easter - He is risen!

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