Week 2: Atonement for the Whole World

For my second painting, I decided to try to bring a sketch I had drawn in college in 2001 to life with color.  I wasn't sure how it would turn out but it was worth a try.

Here is the origin Sketch from 2001

On Thursday July 19th, I started work on the painting and on the afternoon of the 20th I completed it.  The scripture on which it was originally based was even more poignant in wake of the terrible theater shooting in Aurora early that morning.  As I worked to complete the painting, the verse kept echoing in my heart. 1 John 2:2 "He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours, but also for the sins of the whole world."

Acrylic on 16x20 canvas July 2012

As I thought about the horrific acts of the man who chose to bring a violent attack on innocent movie-goers and the outrage that many, including myself felt, I couldn't help but be challenged by the words inspiring my painting.  God did not only send His Son to die for the "innocent"; He died for all of us, all of our transgressions, including James Holmes' terrible actions that day.  Just as we all need Jesus, so does this man and I pray that he finds the one who can heal his broken soul.