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the Dance of Grace

With kind permission from the artist, I wanted to share this beautiful painting of Jesus dancing with the children, with onlookers, and what the artist wrote about his painting. After reading an earlier blog on Jesus's footprints and dancing with Jesus (thank you), I realised I had not thought of the concept of dancing with Jesus. I looked for some pictures, and this one just struck me. If you look closer at it, notice the different onlookers, with their differing reactions: the stern faced folded-armed man (wonder what he is thinking), the lady openly praising with her arm raised with joy, the man clapping, is that a mother and her daughter beside him the daughters head leaning on the mother enjoying this amazing moment, the husband and wife, laughing, together, the slightly perplexed older man over the shoulder of the young man who appears to be enthralled at the sight. I think you will agree that this is a beautiful image of the Joy of our Lord.

Artists comments: ''The Dance of Grace is not intended to be an illustration of a moment in the life of Jesus 2000 years ago, but rather a present depiction of the delight and celebration which He invites everyone to join in the present. I've chosen to portray Him dancing with children, for they come to him as they are, with no pretenses, with no performance or sense of duty. Looking in their eyes and knowing every decision they will ever make, whether good or bad, He laughs with delight because they are His. While onlookers watch, their hearts are stirred up to either desire to join the dance or to turn away, but the sheer joy and love that is seen captivates even the skeptic.

Too often we imagine we must "get ourselves in order" before we can experience his delight, but his call is simple: "Come to me and I will give…." Such is the meaning of Grace – when what we need is given freely. Not realizing our need keeps us from what Jesus said He came to do: "bind up the broken hearted, proclaim freedom for the captives and to set the prisoners free." Do you recognize the chains? Do you feel the bondage from the lies? Do you want to be free? Let Him do as only He can - and join in the celebration of His love and the Dance of Grace.''

~ Mark Keathley

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Comment by LucyP on September 23, 2011 at 1:47pm: Desmond, thanks, I am not sure, I do recall looking for a picture of Peter leaving the boat to meet Jesus on the shore, so as to break up the rather long blog on that subject that I had found and shared recently :P but yes that and this could well be the only pictures. Well spotted brother. Love in Jesus, Lucy

Comment by LucyP on September 23, 2011 at 1:44pm: Amanda, fascinating the many depictions of Jesus isn't it, particularly ones from different countries. Some may feel offended at not depicting Jesus as the traditional image we often see, white man with light brown hair. Here's an interesting article on the subject, (if anyone fancies some bedtime reading lol) ...seems John Piper is for more diverse images and the guy writing this isn't.

http://www.godandculture.com/blog/why-john-piper-is-wrong-about-rac...

Personally, as i saw someone else summarize, on racially diverse images, I tend to agree that : ''It isn’t that a separate culture worships a different Jesus, it is that they do what Jesus would have done had He entered their culture, they make him relevant, familiar, understandable.''
http://www.emergentvillage.com/weblog/jesus-a-man-for-all-nations -brilliant video here showing many depictions of Our LORD. See I told you I go off on tangents;-)

Comment by Bible-Talk on September 23, 2011 at 10:56am: Lucy - that is a really inspiring thought that you have shared - dancing with the Lord!

You're a very thoughtful person - keep coming up with the goods.

If I'm not mistaken ......... isn't this your first blog with a pic?

God bless the UK

the Dance of Grace

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