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December 19 Vera and I returned to the art store today to look at the next wood carving. Come to find out, all of these carvings are right out of Revelation 12. The third picture was the most amazing of all, stretching my understanding not only of heaven but earth as well. As I looked at this woodcut, it was as if the curtain that separates heaven and earth was pulled back and I was able to see reality — the real world — as God himself views it. And as Thoreau quipped: “reality is fabulous!” The
woodcut was actually several images wrapped into one — each being
influenced by the previous angle. In the top, left corner was a picture of a son; the very same son born of the pregnant woman in the first carving! It was apicture of Jesus, snatched up to heaven, seated next to the throne of God. Yes, I do believe these wood carvings are for Christmas! Jesus was portrayed as a mighty Shepherd, sitting on the throne of God. And he wasn’t resting. He was armed for battle, ready to lead all nations with a rod of iron. As I looked at this picture my mind went back to Psalm 2, the royal psalm that speaks of the Messiah’s majesty, power, and sonship. I asked Vera if the Czechs ever thought about Christ in this light during Christmas. She laughed and reminded me how the Christmas-Christ for Czechs is a little baby who flies through the window, leaving toys for children. He is so mild and harmless; he is even called by the diminutive, “Jezisek.” Vera then asked how Americans think about Christ at Christmas. “One thing is for sure,” I told her; “this reigning, powerful Christ isn’t our idea of Jesus either. “We’ve domesticated him,” I shared, “wrapping him up in a nice little manger with cows and sheep and wise men.” As we left the store I asked Vera, “What do you think about such a Christ; would you like for him to be your leader?” Without batting an eye, she said, “yes. What about you?” All night I’ve been wrestling with that question. Do I really want such a powerful and dangerous person to rule my life? Sad to say, I’ve never viewed Jesus in such a serious light before, especially during Christmas. Before I dozed off to sleep, I thought about my prayer a few weeks ago; how I prayed that the Lord would send me help. Isn’t it amazing, even humorous, that a set of wood carvings from Revelation and a former communist woman who I am supposed to be teaching are being used to bring me to greater faith and understanding of God? |
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