Author Archives: Pastor Martin

Here is today’s reflection from the Visual Commentary on Scripture, which offers thoughts on the three artworks that we have experienced this week. Today I’ve been reflecting on these verses of Psalm 130, which offer an image of waiting in darkness that leads to the light of dawn. That seems a very fitting summary ofContinue reading

Today’s artwork and commentary from the Visual Commentary on Scripture can be found here. Rembrandt’s sketch from his Prodigal Son series, based on the story in Luke’s Gospel, depicts the low point of the story for the young man who has taken his inheritance in an irregular way and spent it all on hedonistic living.Continue reading “Bottoming Out”

Today’s commentary on Psalm 130 from the Visual Commentary on Scripture can be found here. The overarching theme of the week is penitence, and today’s image is inspired by Psalm 130 verse 3: If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities, Lord, who could stand? The commentary on Philip Evergood’s painting, Dance Marathon (1934) explores howContinue reading “Who shall stand?”

This week we are thinking about the theme of penitence, and focusing on Psalm 130. Today’s art work from the Visual Commentary on Scripture is the 9/11 memorial on the site of the twin towers of the World Trade Centre in Manhattan. Their commentary can be found here. It’s an extraordinary piece of public artContinue reading “Out of the deep”

This week’s theme from the Visual Commentary on Scripture is penitence, with a special focus on Psalm 130. You can find the introductory video here. For a focus of reflection today, here’s a wonderful engraving of praying hands by Albrecht Durer, and a beautiful setting of Psalm 130 by Keith and Kristyn Getty.

This week we’ve been thinking about images inspired by Isaiah 53, with its focus on the suffering servant. Today, I’d like to share a few verses from that chapter: He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like aContinue reading

Today’s artworks and reflection from the Visual Commentary on Scripture can be found here. It’s a reflection based on the three artworks seen so far this week, and the text of Isaiah 53. As you look at the three artworks, here is some wonderful music to listen to that is old and new at theContinue reading “Song of the Suffering Servant”

Today’s artwork and reflection from the Visual Commentary on Scripture can be found here. It’s a remarkable bronze sculpture of the crucified Jesus which is as far from a heroic and romanticised image of the crucifixion as it’s possible to get. The figure is almost de-humanised, a suitable commentary in art on this horrific methodContinue reading “Man of Sorrows”

Here’s a link to today’s artwork and commentary from the Visual Commentary on Scripture. It is inspired by part of Isaiah 53: 5: By his bruises we are healed. What is the healing that is spoken of when these words are related to the death of Jesus? I think that we need to take aContinue reading “The Promise of Healing”

You can find today’s artwork and commentary from the Visual Commentary on Scripture here. This week’s Scripture focus is on Isaiah Chapter 53. Today we continue with verses 4 and 5: Surely he has borne our infirmities and carried our diseases; yet we accounted him stricken, struck down by God, and afflicted. But he wasContinue reading “The Agony of Sacrifice”