~ A place to find answers to gnawing spiritual questions ~
Question: I'm an artist and I use paint to express myself. I want to paint myself on the cross because to me it's the highest form of suffering. I don't have any intentions to offend, blaspheme or commit sacriledge - but some people have said it would be. How could it be all of that if my heart doesn't mean any harm?Answer: This is an interesting thing, in that, although I am an "unknown" minister answering your question anonymously, I too am an artist and have a deep appreciation for expression in art. I have worked with various mediums, my favorite probably being watercolor. My love for art has resulted in awards and recognition for my work, some of which is to this day on public billboards, signs, letterheads, etc. (I moved from fine art to commercial art eventually). In my current career in full time ministry I have found my skills and talents to be of great benefit in many areas. I have designed logos and stationary for churches, painted signs (before the days of vinyl lettering), and drawn pictures for published books as well as sketched for illustrative purposes for children, youth and adult congregations.
Now this brings me to the point I wish to share with you. While it would not necessarily be sacrilegious for you to create a depiction of yourself hanging on a cross merely to render an expression of acute suffering, I struggle with what good may actually come from it. My point being that God specifically planned salvation in such a way that His Son would die in our place. It was necessary that He suffer and die upon the cross so that we wouldn't have to pay the penalty for sin. To place yourself upon the cross in the place of Christ would be to almost create a painted message that Christ's sacrifice was not sufficient, when in reality, our hanging on the cross would have been insufficient. God's plan was that the innocent die in the place of the guilty. Therefore, the highest form of suffering that could ever be portrayed would be that of the innocent Son of God dying in the place of guilty and sinful mankind.
If I may make a suggestion (based upon my own life experience), lift your eyes to a higher purpose. The God of heaven has endowed you with great talents. Seek Him as to how you may best use those talents, not merely to express yourself, but that you may bring glory to Him!
