This is the image that dominates the sanctuary of the United Methodist Erlöserkirche (Saviour’s Church) in Chemnitz, Germany. A large wooden cross that begins at the altar and reaches heavenwards towards the ceiling. Behind it, this quite simple, but profound piece of graphic artwork, illustrating Jesus’ final steps on the way to his crucifixion.
This is the church that I ministered in for 13 years. Almost every Sunday, I stood under this image and preached the word of God. But it was only recently, when I went back to my old congregation, this time as a visitor sitting in the pews, that I began to see this image from a different perspective. And ‘different perspective’ is usually the way God speaks to me.
This artwork was created by the graphic illustrator, Werner Knauer. He was a committed Christian and an active member of the United Methodist Church in nearby Aue-Neustädl. It was not easy for Knauer, as a Christian artist working in the Communist GDR. He was banned from the official state association of fine arts, which made it almost impossible for him to get work and provide a living for his family. But his pastor found a way for him to be employed by the UMC in East Germany. He did the graphics and illustrations for many of the educational books and materials in the church in GDR times. And he helped design displays, sculptures and artwork for church buildings. Including this fascinating graphic illustration in the Erlöserkirche in Chemnitz.
It depicts the way of the cross, hours before Jesus’ death. Jesus has already been judged, (and found innocent), by the Roman governor Pontius Pilate. He has already been beaten and whipped by the Roman soldiers. They have placed a crown of thorns on his head, and mocked and humiliated him. They have given him his cross to carry to Golgatha, where he will soon be crucified. The scene depicts Jesus stumbling as he carries the cross – which, by the way, is not actually in the biblical account. No where in any of the Gospels do we read of Jesus stumbling. But it is inferred – by the account of Simon aiding Jesus and carrying his cross. And it has inspired preachers for centuries – including those who preach without words.
Let me share just three ways that this artwork spoke to me.
The Numerous Lines
In the curved lines I see the path that Jesus is taking. The Via Dolorosa – the way of the cross. The illustration shows an uphill path. It’s tiring, difficult, demanding, requires effort, and saps strength. As we journey through life, it can often feel like that – taking difficult steps, struggling uphill with the worries and burdens we carry. Notice that, in the mural, the curved lines only go uphill until they reach the figure of Jesus, after which they begin to turn downhill. I am not suggesting that the hidden message here is that we only have problems and difficulties until we meet Jesus, and then after that everything is a piece of cake. That is too simplistic. But I do believe that the encounter with Jesus makes some kind of a difference. That’s what I take from this depiction of the curved lines in the mural. When our paths touch Jesus, something happens.
When I look at the straight lines, I see two distinct groups. At the bottom of the mural the straight lines are all horizontal. These lines, underneath Jesus, are straight, flat, horizontal. It appears to me that Jesus is on even ground. Where Jesus is, is a strong foundation. It’s solid ground. It’s safe ground. A safe space. Especially if you are on your knees in desperation. Especially when life’s problems and blows have led you to lose your footing. Where Jesus is, is safe ground.
The other group of straight lines emanate from Jesus’ heart, and extend out in all directions. Not only in 360 degrees – symbolizing around the clock – , but if you can visualize it, also in 3D. It’s as if the lines are reaching out of the mural, towards the observer, to encompass and include us. The lines extending out from Jesus’ heart, as he bears the sin, hate, cruelty and humiliation of man, show God’s unfathomable love that reaches everywhere and everyone. The Creator God, who lowered himself and was born as a man, who even when brought to his knees, at his lowest, he radiates love to the whole world! Even to me.
It’s really only when this holy love grabs hold of you that you can even begin to understand why and how the hymn writer could pen the words: “Love so amazing, so divine, demand my life, my soul, my all.” I encourage you to pause for a moment and let this visual sermon speak to your heart. All of us have our cross to bear. What is yours today? Are you struggling uphill? Beaten and burdened. I invite you to encounter the love of God, and the God of love. A 360 degree, 3D kind of love that reaches you right there where you are. Even where you might think you are unreachable. Or unlovable. Sense the heart of Jesus. Step onto solid ground. Safe ground. And be enveloped in an incomprehensible love that reaches out to you… and reaches you.
The Shading
Usually in art shade plays an artistic role, following the rules of natural laws. There are one or more light sources that cast shadows, that are usually illustrated by shading in the artwork. But in Werner Knauer’s mural the shading does not follow the natural laws – they actually break them, which is a message in itself. The shading in this image actually has a theological purpose. I understand the thicker, darker lines to be representative of the burden of sin that Jesus bore as he carried the cross. They surround the figure of Jesus. Often in religious art Jesus is illuminated by a bright aura surrounding him. But here his body is outlined by a thick dark line. The dark shading on the cross also seems to be pushing down on Jesus, oppressing him. And there is also the thick black line at Jesus’ left foot, crossing his path. It almost looks like it is the thing that has caused him to stumble – the burden of the sins of humanity.
Then there is the thick black line that encircles the small rock on the ground. What is this supposed to signify? Why did the artist choose to illustrate this scene this way? My interpretation is that this single small rock signifies all the small sins that nevertheless cause us to stumble. Not necessarily the big sins, but the little things, that tend to make us self-righteous. Things we overlook, and the carelessness that hinders us.
In the thick dark lines it seems that sin is written in bold typeface in this mural. It grabs our attention. And it should, because no matter what your particular theology of the cross might be – and in the history of Christianity there have been various metaphors, understandings and interpretations – the fact is that sin is central in the story of the passion of Christ. Sin. Evil. Brokenness. Destructiveness. Selfishness. Addiction. Corruption. Greed. All of them – and more – are illustrated by these bold dark lines of shade that are prominent in this image, as are what they represent in the Easter story itself. They bring Christ to his knees.
And there are two ways that these sins, these failings, these shortcomings can bring us to our knees as well. We can become so burdened and broken by them that we collapse in a heap, because we realize we can’t manage in our own strength. Or, they could and should bring us to our knees in prayer. In recognition that we can’t do it on our own, and also that we don’t have to do it on our own! Jesus bears all our shortcomings! That is the heart of the Gospel. So, once again I invite you to pause and look at the artwork. Look at those bold lines on and around Jesus. Hear the words: “For you”. And accept the core teaching of Jesus’ life and ministry, namely, you do not have to crucify yourself because of your failings!
Signs of Hope
I come to my last reflection. The artist did not just leave us with the darkness, heaviness and tragedy of the crucifixion. In this artwork I see two signs that point to Christ’s victory over sin and death. Two statements that offer hope.
Firstly, I see Easter Sunday in the 3 circles behind the cross on the right hand side. To me these circles look like the tomb and the stone that was rolled away, pointing to the joy of the resurrection. In this image, and in the Easter story that it depicts, I hear God saying, “There is hope. Trust me.”
And secondly, I can see two letters depicted in this artwork. Have a look yourself, before reading on, to see if you can find them…..
The first letter can be found behind Jesus’ left knee – the letter ‘A’. And the second letter is on the very outer edge of the three circles on the right hand side. It is the letter ‘Z’, but written the German way, with a horizontal stroke in the middle of the ‘Z’. These letters are not particularly easy to find, so did the artist intend to have these two letters in his illustration? I believe so. Why else would he have added some of these additional lines that form the letters. The image would have worked fine without them. So why an ‘A’ and a ‘Z’? Of course we recognize them as the first and last letters of the alphabet. But in Greek, the first and last letters of the alphabet are ‘Alpha’ and ‘Omega’. And we know that Jesus is referred to in the Bible as the “Alpha and Omega, the first and the last”.
So for me, the God that is pictured in this artwork – the God who is on the way of the cross with us, the God who is a safe space for us when we fall and are on our knees – is the Alpha and Omega, the One and All, the Be all and End all. The triune Creator, Saviour and Comforter, whose love rolls stones away, and whose word breathes abundant life.
Now look again at that mural.
Jesus is bigger now! He almost looks too big in that picture. He no longer looks weak, oppressed or burdened. In fact, he’s not falling to his knees. Can you see it? He is getting up off his knees! Standing up. Strong. Can you see how big his hand is in relation to the cross? That cross actually looks tiny now. My heart can hear those bold black chains around Jesus snap free as he rises defiantly to his feet and effortlessly tosses the cross aside, as if it were a tooth pick… to give us full view of the empty tomb. That means there’s no holding back now.
So be encouraged, friend. Celebrate with me the true meaning of Easter: There is hope. God’s love reaches everywhere. And love wins!
Happy Easter!
