The Jesus I Wish You Knew Series
“Concerning Himself,” Acrylic on Canvas, 24” x 36”
This painting was created as part of a unique sermon series at Western Hills Church in Topeka, KS. The series, entitled “The Jesus I Wish You Knew”, is exploring 5 different words that identify the unique person of Jesus Christ through the artwork of 5 different artists. My painting was the first in the series and was based on the word “Incarnate.”
All of the original artwork being created as a part of this series are being auctioned off the week of May 6th. The proceeds from this auction are going to benefit a building project in Honduras with the amazing ministry Trash Mountain Project. I will also be offering high quality reproduction prints of this painting in a variety of sizes to meet any budget.
The painting is inspired primarily Luke 24:27 and seeks to illustrate how the Biblically commanded feast days all prophetically point towards Yeshua as the Messiah.
Luke 24:27 | “And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.”
The two apostles who walked with Yeshua on the road to Emmaus spent their entire lives observing these set apart times, and yet did not fully understand the significance of those days. Each one of the appointed times has overwhelming symbolism of Yeshua as the Messiah. They commemorate his death, burial, and resurrection, as well as the events promised in his eventual return.
The seven Appointed Times are symbolically represented throughout the painting and are briefly outlined here for those already familiar with them. For a more in depth explanation that also details much of the prophetic significance of these Biblical holy days, please consider watching the video linked below of me explaining all of the symbolism during one of the church services.
PASSOVER
The house in the bottom left corner displays the blood of the lamb on the doorframe loosely in the shape of the Hebrew character “chai” which translates as “life”. On the roof of the house are the elements of the crucifixion: two large wooden beams, a hammer, and three nails.
UNLEAVENED BREAD
Since the Passover Meal starts the Feast of Unleavened Bread, there is a small table positioned immediately next to the door of the Passover house with a plate holding three pieces of unleavened bread. Leading away from the table are seven stepping stones to represent this seven day feast.
FIRST FRUITS
The second house features a table out front with the barley sheaf for the wave offering. Inside the house is the scene described from Yeshua’s empty tomb with the strips of linen and the face napkin that was folded and set aside separately. The sign above the door displays Yeshua’s name in Hebrew as a depiction of John 10:9. There is a cistern of water directly above this sign as a reference to John 4:14.
SHAVUOUT
The Counting of the Omer is symbolized by the “jars of clay” that each feature Hebrew characters that together total 50. There are barley stalks and seeds on the ground around these vessels to suggest they are being filled with the counted grain. Directly above these earthen pots is a rendering of Mt. Sinai on the day that YHWH came down as a consuming fire to deliver the Torah.
DAY OF TRUMPETS
A Levitical priest is seen blowing a shofar which points towards the sliver of a new moon. The moon, in turn, is placed directly above Yeshua.
DAY OF ATONEMENT
In the bottom right corner are the two goats that are part of the prescribed offerings on this most holy of days. The Azazel goat, on the left, has the crimson cord tied around his horn. Together, these two goats are an amazing picture of the sacrificial, atoning death of Yeshua.
SUKKOT
In the background along the right side are two sukkas to represent the seven day Feast of Tabernacles. These “booths” were often made by interwoven branches and leaves as described in Nehemiah 8:13-18.
YESHUA
All of these symbolic references encircle Yeshua as he raises his hands to explain how they all point towards Him. His gesture also loosely resembles a crucifixion posture. He is clothed in colors resembling parchment as an allusion to Him being the Word made flesh; the walking, talking Torah. The apostles flanking him are dressed in yellow and violet, colors often associated with royalty. Each of them holds a staff to loosely reference that when Yeshua was crucified, there were two others hung on a tree. These two sticks, however, can also represent the two sticks of Judah and Ephraim that will one day be reunited under Yeshua. (Ezekiel 37:15-28)
You can watch the full video interview of me explaining the significance of this painting using the link below:
The Jesus I Wish You Knew: Incarnate with Michael Mize
High Quality Fine Art Giclèe Reproduction Prints of this painting are available through the Stephen Smith Gallery in Topeka, KS
Sizes Avaialble
24” x 36” (Full Size) - $260
12” x 18” (Two Thirds Size) - $185
8” x 12” (One Third Size) - $60
Click the photo above to read an article about the exhibit and auction on the CJ Online website.
