The classic artwork ‘Forgiven’ by Thomas Blackshear paints a picture of forgiveness like no artist has ever done before. It has 12 key meanings and the author’s book by the same name, gives an overview of salvation.
1. Darkness – The painting’s dark background signifies sin. It is the world of darkness within us that the light of Jesus Christ seeks to invade.
2. Guilt – The mallet and the spike in the man’s hands are reminders that each of us is responsible for the death of Jesus Christ on the cross.
3. Repentance – The contemporary man in the painting is in despair and ready to fall to the ground. His expression carries the pain of sin, and his helplessness reflects total dependence on Jesus Christ for his salvation.
4. Grace – The figure upholding the repentant man is a picture of God’s grace. He is the ever-present Jesus, ready to receive and redeem all who have been broken by the power of sin.
5. Redemption – The setting of Forgiven is Mt. Calvary, the place w Jesus was crucified. It is that He died to redeem us to God. It is that each sinner must come to be forgiven.
6. Strength – Jesus’ hands are slightly oversized, showing strength. They remind us that we cannot rely on our own strength; we are totally dependent upon the Lord.
7. Holiness – The halo of light around Jesus’ head signifies His holiness and divinity.
8. Change – the wounded hand of Jesus over the man’s heart upholds him and reveals God’s desire to change all hearts by the power of His love.
9. Righteousness – The white robe that Jesus is wearing speaks to us of His righteousness. It is the garment with which we must all be clothed.
10. Justification – The blood that flows from Jesus’ feet signifies the washing away of our sin and our justification before God.
11. Worship -The lilies in Forgiven remind us of the Lord’s beauty and our worship and adoration of Him, the Lily of the Valley and the Rose of Sharon.
12. Growth -The lilies also represent our personal growth in the Lord. Because He is alive in us, His life will produce fruit for His glory
With a broken heart and a contrite spirit, we can receive forgiveness and learn from our mistakes and there is no one who forgives and heals as well as Jesus.
By Christ & Co.
