Images of God: The Search

by Brad Malone

We are in the season of crowds. People are pushing and shoving their way through the mall, restaurants, and even Churches. It has always been odd to me that at the darkest time of year people are the most active and most rambunctious. Maybe it is because people need to keep warm or stay awake despite the increasing darkness. As an extravert I get excited by the crammed crowds and could spend hours milling around shopping for friends and families. The one thing that is noticeable about these crowds is that everyone is on a search, whether it be gifts, food, or company.

This makes me think that these crowds are not some American phenomenon, but something that is universal and has been a part of humanity since its Fall in the Garden. Throughout the Gospels in Scripture we see episodes of Christ’s life where He is followed by similar crowds looking for something. Some of the crowds came bearing questions about faith, law, and life while others were searching for a simple cure or raising from the dead. One story has a crowd so big and dense that people removed part of a rough to lower down their paralytic friend (Mark 2). Many of us grew up singing about wee little Zacchaeus who climbed a tree to get above a crowd in order to see Jesus. At Christ’s first coming crowds of angels appeared and a group of shepherds sought Him.

During the Middle Ages and Renaissance time periods many paintings made for churches or altars portrayed the events of Christ’s life with multitudes of people surrounding Him. Sergie Chepik in his second instillation at St. Paul’s Cathedral intentionally did the same. The painting is entitled The Public Ministry of Our Lord and depicts acts of Christ before His death and resurrection. The painting has three sections the first, to the left, with Christ healing, the second of Christ standing in the midst of water holding up a cross, and the third of Him preaching and teaching. In all three sections of the painting Christ is surrounded by large crowds. In the first section crowds of people are bringing their ill friends and the lame are crawling up the steps to reach Him. In the third section a mass of people are surrounding Him listening, contemplating, arguing, challenging, and reflecting. In the second section, the focal point of the composition, the crowd stands to the back watching and listening as Christ points to the event of salvation, the event of His death on the cross. The person, on his knees, stares up to the wooden cross raised-up high for all to see.

What is important to see in this painting is that in the midst of the searching crowds Christ stands tall and in the center. In answer to all their questions, all their ailments, and all their damnation, Christ stands before them. In the midst of the darkness, as they climb the stairs to be healed, or in the night of their confusion, Christ sheds light from the center exposing all. He brings healing to those searching for Him and gives lessons to those looking for answers, and holds before the eyes of the redeemed the cross, the sign pointing to His purpose in coming. In Advent we rejoice in Christ’s first coming and call out a prayer for His second, Come, Lord Jesus, Come! With every scene of His life and every crowd in Scriptures we yearn more for Him to return, because in His Second Coming all will be healed, all will be raised, and all will know.

For now the crowds continue to search and continue to cram. People still search for answers and look for healing. However, just like in Chepik’s image, the cross is held high and in the center. The Church—the people of God—gathers in the Living Water and at the feet of its savior looking to the cross. Christ is where our search ends, the answers are found, the sick are secured, the dead die in hope of life, and the knowledge of God brings peace.