One Saturday in April: The Empty Tomb and Beyond
One Saturday in April:
The Empty Tomb and
Beyond
Thank you for pausing to explore and worship in the current Chapel Gallery show. Behind the scenes, this show was, in fact, an experiment. For the first time, we birthed an exhibit during a Saturday morning art creation event in the Porch that focused on building more unity and cooperation between the members of our Chapel Creatives community. In this regard, we ask for you to pray for us—that the Lord would grow us as a Gospel-centered and loving community of artists. Visual artists, singer-songwriters, poets, and photographers all showed up to a brainstorm how we might enter into a worshipful artistic venture, a venture focusing on the Biblical record of what occurred after the resurrection of Jesus.
The days and weeks after Jesus rose from the dead were indeed packed with personal epiphanies in the lives of Jesus’s followers. Angels were busy, the Holy Spirit was empowering the disciples, Jesus ascended to the right hand of the Father, and the church was born. Such a momentous series of spiritual events was very special in the global history of mankind. Our God is worthy!
"Losing Myself”
By Jason Cho
Musicians: Jason Cho, Susan Hall, Robb Esperat, and Turner Linafelter
In a recent sermon, we examined the Lord’s Prayer as an introduction to our Heavenly Father (Matthew 6:9-13). But really, the whole chapter serves as that introduction. We learn, for instance, that he is the one who “sees in secret” (vv 4, 6, 18), that he knows what we need before we ask (v 8). We learn also that since he is our provider (vv 26, 30), we can be released from our anxious worry (vv 25, 28, 31, 34) to rest in him. What a good Father!
I remember the day
When we were so close
My joy was complete
Where your goodness flowed
I got lost in the works, and forgot about your grace
I forgot what I’m worth, when you’re not in this place
So I’m losing myself just to find you, Lord
And I lay me down, just to life you high
In the dark of night Lord I’ll seek your light
And Lord I pray that you’ll shape my way
I remember the day, when you saved my life
My soul, was renewed, and you gave me new life
I got lost in the world, and forgot about peace
now I know who I serve, now my soul is at ease
And I’m losing myself just to find you, Lord
And I lay me down, just to lift you high
In the dark of night Lord I’ll seek your light
And Lord I pray that you’ll shape my way
Humble me God, so you can be more
Take my hand God, Blind my heart
Take the Lead God, I will follow you
When I’m lost, you know the way
And I’m losing myself just to find you, Lord
And I lay me down, just to lift you high
In the dark of night Lord I’ll seek your light
And Lord I pray that you’ll shape my way
"Revelation 5:5”
And one of the elders said to me, “Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals
"The Rending of the Veil”
By Mary Gregory
Mark 15:38 “The curtain of the Temple was torn in two from top to bottom
This happened when Jesus died on the cross.
Luke 23:32 “Two other men, both criminals were led out with him to be executed.”
Luke 23:39-43 “One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us. But the other criminal rebuked him, Don’t you fear God, he said, since we are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man hs done nothing wrong. Then he said to Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom. Jesus answered him and said I tell you the truth today you will be with me in paradise.”
Luke 23:44- It was now about the sixth hour and darkness come over the whole earth until the ninth hour, for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn into. Jesus said with a loud voice, Father into your hands I commit my Spirit. When he said this he breathed his last.
Hebrews 10:19 … “WE now have confidence to enter the most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus a new and living way opened for us through the curtain that is his body…”
2 Corinthians 3:16 “Whenever anyone turns to the Lord the veil is taken away…”
"On Rising One Morning”
By Keith McCune
It is wonderful truth that the resurrection of our Lord is the basis, the foreshadowing and the prototype of our resurrection in him.
“He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like his own.” (Philippians 3:21)
“So will it be with the resurrection of the dead…Just as we have borne the image of the earthly man, so shall we bear the image of the heavenly man.” (1 Corinthians 15:42, 49)
"Meeting Place”
By Jeanette Thorpe
Based on John 20:19 scripture and The Chosen TV series, I tried to create a look at a meeting place for the disciples, with a closed door that did not keep Jesus from entering and reuniting with his disciples after his Resurrection.
"One Saturday in April
By Dennis J Borgerding
One Saturday in April
The Governor sat in his office
Pondering the previous day’s events
The man crucified, but not deserving to be
What was it all about, who was he?
One Saturday in April
The religious leaders sat in their meeting place
Relieved at the previous day’s events
The threat removed, the order’s restored
Nothing to worry about, except who was he?
One Saturday in April
The followers hid in their upper room
Terrified at the previous day’s events
Their leader killed, hopes and dreams all crushed
What was the last few years about, who was he?
Then Sunday came
The Governor sat in his office
Confused by the reports of the soldiers
The followers stole the body? How can that be?
Confused by the power of this so-called king
The religious leaders sat in their meeting
Terrified by the reports of angels and resurrection
The Soldier’s report, stone moved away, a shining man
Terrified by the power of this so-called god.
The followers hid in their upper room
Astonished by their leader standing before them
Finally understand all they had been told
Astonished by the power of their God
The ordinary man got up and went to church
Rejoicing in the promises he heard
Forgiveness, freedom, a new life, eternity
Rejoicing in the power of his newfound Lord
"The Stone Had Been Rolled Away
By Mandy Poe
Watercolor and ink
“Very early on Sunday morning, just at sunrise, they went to the tomb. On the way they were asking each other, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?” But as they arrived, they looked up and saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled aside.” (Mark 16:2-4)
When meditating on the Easter Story this year, my attention was drawn to the stone, this very tangible, immovable obstacle that was on the forefront of the women’s minds as they approached Jesus’ tomb. The sun was rising on a seemingly ordinary day as they walked along and asked each other, “Who will roll away the stone for us?” It mad meme smile thinking of how they were worried about a stone while God had not only already rolled it away, but had also raised Jesus from the dead, defeated sin, and paid the ransom for His children so that we could be with Him forever! How much greater, more powerful, and more amazing He is than we can even imagine!
In our everyday, ordinary moments when the seemingly immovable obstacles loom large in our minds may we remember and take comfort in the amazing truth that “the grave is still empty! The stone is still rolled! He’s still high and lifted up, seated on the throne” (Charity Gayle “Name Above All Names”).
"Two Accounts"
By Claudia Finn
Remembering the image of Calvary
Seeing Jesus in between two thieves
Hearing of one heart broken from seeing the goodness and love he beheld
Father forgive them for they know not what they do
Help me Jesus as you did this contrite thief to trust in you
Walking toward the tomb, seeing the rock had been moved away
Angels inside on either side sitting where Jesus had laid
In excitement I must go and tell the disciples because something here is amiss
Help me Jesus as you did for Mary to listen and have faith in you.
"Surprise and Wonder"
By Mike Lane
"The Language of the Heart"
By Sienna Seratt
Acts 2:1-4
When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they ere sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they ere al filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.
"Then Came the Morning"
By Susan Hall - Acrylics
“He has rescued us from the domain of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of the Song He loves.” -Colossians 1:15
"Then Came the Morning"
By Susan Hall
How? How did it all fall apart?
For three years we followed Him
Walked with him, ate with him,
Shared the dust of the road and the press of the crowd.
Heard His words and knew —
This was no itinerant rabbi, seeking an audience
He was the One, the promised Messiah,
Here, among us, at last!
Glory within our grasp —
Rome routed, Israel reawakened in power!
We, ruling at His side.
How? How did it all go so wrong?
To see Him
Broken, beaten, jeered and scorned
Stumbling, falling, bleeding, dying
Dead.
Panicked, reeling with eh sheer enormity of it, we scattered
Like rats seeking a hole to swallow us.
How? How could we have gotten it so wrong?
Tell me—how could the Light of the World be overcome by such darkness?
Laid in a borrowed tomb.
Silenced and swaddled and sealed ins tone.
Darkness broods, darkness gloats, darkness reigns
But then came..the morning!