Sunday, January 20, 2008
Jesus Healing Prints
Classical art is often filled with irony.
Jesus Healing the Leper, 1864 In Mark 1:40-45, Jesus heals a leper and cautions silence, but the man didn’t keep quiet, so Jesus could no more openly enter into the city.
Jesus Heals the Paralytic in Bethesda (John 5:1-18) This man is a Judas—a betrayer, who turns on Him who has done only good to him.
After this Jesus found him at the temple and said to him, “Look, you have become well. Don’t sin any more, 26 lest anything worse happen to you.” 5:15 The man went away and informed the Jewish leaders 27 that Jesus was the one who had made him well.
Jesus Healing the Leper, 1864 In Mark 1:40-45, Jesus heals a leper and cautions silence, but the man didn’t keep quiet, so Jesus could no more openly enter into the city.
Jesus Heals the Paralytic in Bethesda (John 5:1-18) This man is a Judas—a betrayer, who turns on Him who has done only good to him.
After this Jesus found him at the temple and said to him, “Look, you have become well. Don’t sin any more, 26 lest anything worse happen to you.” 5:15 The man went away and informed the Jewish leaders 27 that Jesus was the one who had made him well.
Labels: art jesus classical
¶ 7:57 PM 0 Comments
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Armor of God Art
The passage in Ephesians 6:10-18 describes how a Christian can be prepared to encounter threats and challenges in terms of elements of body armor of the time. The elements are: the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, shoes of the gospel, shield of faith, helmet of salvation and sword of the spirit. These elements were used by soldiers of the time can be seen on pottery of ancient Greece.
For example the Athenian Black Figure Kylix fragments from the 6th century BCE (A1574) often depict soldiers in this armor. The subject of later potters seem to be less martial and more liberal, reflecting greater attachments to comforts of the classical era.
For example the Athenian Black Figure Kylix fragments from the 6th century BCE (A1574) often depict soldiers in this armor. The subject of later potters seem to be less martial and more liberal, reflecting greater attachments to comforts of the classical era.
Labels: art, Holy Spirit
¶ 6:52 PM 0 Comments
Bleeding in Dreams
References to bleeding in the bible describe a state of uncleanness or sickness, requiring isolation and healing.
Leviticus 12:4-5 describes restrictions due to bleeding after childbirth and the length of time before the mother is regarded as cleansed.
Three gospels, Matthew 9:20, Mark 5:25-29, and Luke 8:43-44, relate the healing of the woman "subject to bleeding for twelve years". This story is interesting as the healing occurs without the clear volition of Jesus, unlike other documented healings. Presumably the bleeding was from the uterus, such a chronic infection might cause. This story highlights the role of faith in healing, because Jesus was not initially aware of the woman, He was not personally responsible for the healing.
Bleeding in dreams would seem be another form of 'salvation longing'. The dreamer, aware of their 'uncleanness' and desiring to be healed, longs for that wholeness the presence of Jesus gives.
Leviticus 12:4-5 describes restrictions due to bleeding after childbirth and the length of time before the mother is regarded as cleansed.
Three gospels, Matthew 9:20, Mark 5:25-29, and Luke 8:43-44, relate the healing of the woman "subject to bleeding for twelve years". This story is interesting as the healing occurs without the clear volition of Jesus, unlike other documented healings. Presumably the bleeding was from the uterus, such a chronic infection might cause. This story highlights the role of faith in healing, because Jesus was not initially aware of the woman, He was not personally responsible for the healing.
Bleeding in dreams would seem be another form of 'salvation longing'. The dreamer, aware of their 'uncleanness' and desiring to be healed, longs for that wholeness the presence of Jesus gives.
Labels: dream interpretation
¶ 5:52 PM 0 Comments
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Blood Dreams
Dreams of blood, bleeding, or wounds have a two part significance when interpreted from the point of view of the Bible. Hebrews 9:22 describes the two parts clearly. "And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission."
Shed blood by you or others would seem to indicate a purification of the person. The purification could mean the process of clearing of your conscience, via the removal for dead things or activities from your life. While purification can involve suffering, following the purification is the remission or the forgiveness and cancellation of the penalty.
Shed blood by you or others would seem to indicate a purification of the person. The purification could mean the process of clearing of your conscience, via the removal for dead things or activities from your life. While purification can involve suffering, following the purification is the remission or the forgiveness and cancellation of the penalty.
Labels: dream interpretation
¶ 8:19 PM 0 Comments
Sunday, August 12, 2007
Sword Dreams
The sword is a very important symbol in the Old Testament, to people who largely lived and died by the sword. In the New Testament, the sword is one of the main items in the whole armor of God, enabling us to stand against the wiles of the devil (Ephesians 6:11). The sword is revealed as none other than the word of God in Ephesians 6:17: "And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;"
Thus the actions of a sword in a dream relate to the actions of the word of God. To dream that you are wielding a sword, represents using the word of God to overcome and conquer obstacles. Alternatively, to be struck with a sword is to receive the word of God deeply into your life.
Thus the actions of a sword in a dream relate to the actions of the word of God. To dream that you are wielding a sword, represents using the word of God to overcome and conquer obstacles. Alternatively, to be struck with a sword is to receive the word of God deeply into your life.
Labels: dream interpretation
¶ 4:15 PM 0 Comments
Naked Dreams
Nakedness is first mentioned in the Garden of Eden story of Genesis 3 where the perception of nakedness alerts God that Adam and Eve have disobeyed His word, by eating the fruit of the tree in the middle of the garden. In Isaiah 20:3 His servant Isaiah walked naked and barefoot three years for a sign and a wonder against Egypt and Ethiopia, to prophesy the shame of being led away as a captive nation.
In Job 1:21 nakedness refers to a state without possessions: "Naked came I from my mother's womb, and naked shall I depart." But following the acknowledgment of this physical truth, Job reveals the spiritual truth in "The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord!" Paul speaks further of this spiritual nakedness in Hebrews 4:13 "And not a creature exists that is concealed from His sight, but all things are open and exposed, naked and defenseless to the eyes of Him with Whom we have to do."
The interpretation of nakedness in dreams is related to the idea that we are as if naked before an all-seeing God. God sees our secret deeds, but we yearn to be clothed over, to put on our celestial body like a garment, adopting the clothing of the spirit (2 Corinthians 5:4). To dream of being naked then, is to be walking without God's protection, out of God's will. The remedy to lack of confidence that comes with public nakedness, is the spirit: 2 Corinthians 5:7 "Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee." and further, "For we walk by faith, not by sight."
In Job 1:21 nakedness refers to a state without possessions: "Naked came I from my mother's womb, and naked shall I depart." But following the acknowledgment of this physical truth, Job reveals the spiritual truth in "The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord!" Paul speaks further of this spiritual nakedness in Hebrews 4:13 "And not a creature exists that is concealed from His sight, but all things are open and exposed, naked and defenseless to the eyes of Him with Whom we have to do."
The interpretation of nakedness in dreams is related to the idea that we are as if naked before an all-seeing God. God sees our secret deeds, but we yearn to be clothed over, to put on our celestial body like a garment, adopting the clothing of the spirit (2 Corinthians 5:4). To dream of being naked then, is to be walking without God's protection, out of God's will. The remedy to lack of confidence that comes with public nakedness, is the spirit: 2 Corinthians 5:7 "Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee." and further, "For we walk by faith, not by sight."
Labels: dream interpretation
¶ 2:25 PM 2 Comments
Teeth Dreams
In the Bible, teeth are a common metaphor for lack of personal power, e.g. in Psalm 3:7 "Arise, O Lord; save me, O my God! For You have struck all my enemies on the cheek; You have broken the teeth of the ungodly."
In Mathew 8:12 Jesus used teeth to represent the despair of the unsaved: "While the sons and heirs of the kingdom will be driven out into the darkness outside, where there will be weeping and grinding of teeth." However, this passage on the faith of centurion concludes with the remote healing of a servant boy, due to the centurion's powerful faith Matthew 8:13 "Then to the centurion Jesus said, Go; it shall be done for you as you have believed. And the servant boy was restored to health at that very moment."
From a Biblical perspective, dreams of loose, broken or decaying teeth represent awareness of our lack of power of individuals and a longing for the power of Jesus, through which as Paul says, we can do all things.
In Mathew 8:12 Jesus used teeth to represent the despair of the unsaved: "While the sons and heirs of the kingdom will be driven out into the darkness outside, where there will be weeping and grinding of teeth." However, this passage on the faith of centurion concludes with the remote healing of a servant boy, due to the centurion's powerful faith Matthew 8:13 "Then to the centurion Jesus said, Go; it shall be done for you as you have believed. And the servant boy was restored to health at that very moment."
From a Biblical perspective, dreams of loose, broken or decaying teeth represent awareness of our lack of power of individuals and a longing for the power of Jesus, through which as Paul says, we can do all things.
Labels: dream interpretation
¶ 9:52 AM 0 Comments
