“A picture is worth a thousand words”, a phrase attributed to Ibsen who knew how to use words, it captures what I want to say about this week's painting.
The Scorpion, one of a series of 8 paintings titled ‘Christ in the Wilderness’ tells the story of Holy Week from the entry into Jerusalem to the Resurrection.
Let me take you through the clues that Stanley Spencer gives us in this moving portrayal of Christ as he looks toward the Cross.
The Scorpion makes reference to two passages in the gospels: Luke 11: 11 – 12
‘Is there anyone among you who if your child asks for a fish will give a snake instead of a fish? Or if the child asks for an egg, will give a scorpion.'
‘See, I have given you all authority to tread on snakes and scorpions, and over all the powers of the enemy; and nothing will hurt you.’ Luke 10: 19
Renouncing Authority
Taking the last passage first we come to the decision facing Jesus as he enters Jerusalem at the head of a crowd hailing him as their Messiah. “Hosanna to the King of David” they shout, recognising him as their true King and rightful leader.
Jesus could have taken a political route and challenged the Roman authorities but instead chooses to go not to the Antonine Fort, where the Roman garrison is based, but to the Temple.
Having given ‘All authority’ to the disciples he now renounces all authority and power and chooses to embrace the scorpion rather than tread on it.
Accepting the Father’s gift
‘What Father would give their child a scorpion rather than an egg?’ Jesus asks. The answer is God the Father. We see Jesus contemplating the scorpion in his open hands. They are held as if he is receiving ‘Communion’, the bread of life, but instead, it is the sting of death.
The scorpion has already stung him, we can see that his hands are swollen and red, and there are other scorpions by his feet ready to pierce them with their sting. Yet he looks almost lovingly at them.
The last great struggle that Jesus faced was at Gethsemane, on the night that he was betrayed. All night long he pleads with his Father to spare him from the ordeal he knows he must face.
“ Father if you are willing, remove this cup from me; yet, not my will but yours be done” Luke 22: 42
Having renounced all authority he now accepts his Father’s will, not as a punishment but as a gift through which he will receive ‘all authority over all the powers of the enemy
As we receive Communion this morning we will be holding our hands out to receive the bread of life and drink from the cup that the Father gives us. It will be life-giving because Jesus himself has taken away the sting of death and become for us the means of new life.
It will not only be the means by which we are in communion with God, but also in communion with others for by his death Jesus has not only reconciled us to God but to each other, even our enemies.
On the Cross, Jesus reaches out to the thief who hangs beside him and forgives those who drive the nails into him. ‘Love your enemies’ Jesus said, but that can only happen because Jesus has taken away the sting and made forgiveness possible.
In the dark
All the key events of Holy Week take place in the dark. After Judas leaves the room during the Last Supper, John remarks that it is night. The gospel writers all comment on the dark night when Jesus is arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane. The trial of Jesus in front of the High Priest takes place in the dead of night and finally, darkness covers the land at noon as Jesus cries out ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me’ Matthew 27: 45
The sky behind Jesus in Spencer’s painting is already beginning to cloud over as darkness approaches and we are reminded that the light shines in the darkness just as at the dawn of creation.
The New Creation
And so from the old Creation to the New Creation. Spencer has shown Jesus swatting in a curious position, and some commentators have suggested that it looks as if he is giving birth. (Poor Middle Eastern women would often swat when giving birth). And of course, this is one of the meanings of Christ’s passion and death: it is a birth, a recreation. Out of the darkness, a new light shines.
St Paul takes up the theme of labour and birth as he describes the re-creation of the world through Christ:
‘We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labour pains until now; and not only creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. For in hope, we were saved.’
Romans 8: 22-24
It is the labour pains of the New Creation that we see in Jesus as he holds the scorpion. By his wounds, we have been healed. We see him waiting, patiently suffering, hoping for the things that cannot yet be seen.
Rev Simon Brignall
Holy Week in Coln St Aldwyns, Hatherop, and Quenington.
Wednesday 5th April 6.30 pm Vicarage Cottage Barn. Passover Supper
Good Friday 7th April 7.00 pm St John the Baptist. Readings and Hymns with extracts from Stainer’s Crucifixion
Easter Sunday 9th April St Nicholas, Hatherop. Easter Holy Communion.
Prayer for Ukraine
God of peace and justice
we pray for the people of Ukraine today,
and the laying down of weapons.
we pray for all those who fear for tomorrow,
that your spirit of comfort would draw near to them.
We pray for those with power over war and peace,
for wisdom, discernment, and compassion to guide their decisions
Above all, we pray for all your precious children at risk and in fear,
That you would hold and protect them.
We pray in the name of Jesus, the Prince of Peace.
Amen
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Best wishes
Rev Simon Brignall
I am contactable from Thursday to Sunday.