This is part 1 of a 4 part series.
One of the most well-known and widely recognized religious paintings is Leonardo Da Vinci’s The Last Supper. His work of art has captivated the minds and hearts of Christians for centuries. Da Vinci devoted three years of his life (from 1495-98) to this masterpiece during the Italian Renaissance period. It is intended to depict the Last Supper, particularly the moment after Jesus announced that one of the Twelve would betray Him (John 13:21). It displays Jesus in the middle of the table, flanked on both sides by His twelve apostles. James is immediately on His right; John is immediately on His left. Judas is seated next to John. The work has been scrutinized by everyone from pastors to artists and mathematicians for its symbolism, theological insights, and psychological complexity. In May of 1999, an effort was made to restore the painting to its original glory after being damaged by exposure over the years of being displayed, and it was completed beautifully. The Last Supper remains one of the most important paintings of the Renaissance and, perhaps, human history.
As a child, I can still remember gazing at the large picture hanging in the living room of my grandmother’s home. It is a painting many of us have grown to love. However, what it is that we love is a painting, not something that contains any kind of factual truth. Indeed, The Last Supper is perhaps as “factual” as The Da Vinci Code. Da Vinci was a Roman artist and mathematician, not a biblical theologian. He used his talent to earn a living, not preach the gospel. We cannot fault him for painting certain elements of the final meal inaccurately. What we need to be careful of, though, is that popular depictions of biblical accounts or Scriptural truths do not color our perception of the way that things truly transpired.
Let’s revisit the events of the day of the Last Supper. The disciples knew that they would need to find a place to eat the traditional Passover meal, but didn’t know what kind of plan Jesus had in mind. So they asked Him: “Where will you have us go and prepare for you to eat the Passover?” And he [Jesus] sent two of his disciples and said to them, “Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him, and wherever he enters, say to the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says, Where is my guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ And he will show you a large upper room furnished and ready; there prepare for us” (Mark 14:12-15).
Check back next week for part 2.
Can you do me a favor? If these ideas resonate with you, would you:
• REACT. Do something.
• RESPOND. Leave a comment on this post.
• REPOST. Repost this link on Twitter, Facebook or your blog.
One of the most well-known and widely recognized religious paintings is Leonardo Da Vinci’s The Last Supper. His work of art has captivated the minds and hearts of Christians for centuries. Da Vinci devoted three years of his life (from 1495-98) to this masterpiece during the Italian Renaissance period. It is intended to depict the Last Supper, particularly the moment after Jesus announced that one of the Twelve would betray Him (John 13:21). It displays Jesus in the middle of the table, flanked on both sides by His twelve apostles. James is immediately on His right; John is immediately on His left. Judas is seated next to John. The work has been scrutinized by everyone from pastors to artists and mathematicians for its symbolism, theological insights, and psychological complexity. In May of 1999, an effort was made to restore the painting to its original glory after being damaged by exposure over the years of being displayed, and it was completed beautifully. The Last Supper remains one of the most important paintings of the Renaissance and, perhaps, human history.
As a child, I can still remember gazing at the large picture hanging in the living room of my grandmother’s home. It is a painting many of us have grown to love. However, what it is that we love is a painting, not something that contains any kind of factual truth. Indeed, The Last Supper is perhaps as “factual” as The Da Vinci Code. Da Vinci was a Roman artist and mathematician, not a biblical theologian. He used his talent to earn a living, not preach the gospel. We cannot fault him for painting certain elements of the final meal inaccurately. What we need to be careful of, though, is that popular depictions of biblical accounts or Scriptural truths do not color our perception of the way that things truly transpired.
Let’s revisit the events of the day of the Last Supper. The disciples knew that they would need to find a place to eat the traditional Passover meal, but didn’t know what kind of plan Jesus had in mind. So they asked Him: “Where will you have us go and prepare for you to eat the Passover?” And he [Jesus] sent two of his disciples and said to them, “Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him, and wherever he enters, say to the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says, Where is my guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ And he will show you a large upper room furnished and ready; there prepare for us” (Mark 14:12-15).
Check back next week for part 2.
Can you do me a favor? If these ideas resonate with you, would you:
• REACT. Do something.
• RESPOND. Leave a comment on this post.
• REPOST. Repost this link on Twitter, Facebook or your blog.
