Altared Ego
Canvas: 24” x 24”
Date: August 17th, 2025
As the lights dim, and the music starts, I meditate on the theme of Doug’s sermon: Luke 14 where Jesus says, “Anyone who comes to me but refuses to let go of father, mother, spouse, children, brothers, sisters—yes, even one’s own self!—can’t be my disciple. Anyone who won’t shoulder his own cross and follow behind me can’t be my disciple [MSG].”
Then, I start to see myself constricted by ropes—formerly ‘life lines’—now tied to heavy rocks. The rocks suddenly morph into a stonehenge-like ego—constructed as a barrier to pain—operating to please others…to stay safe and in control…to (over) protect my loved ones, but its a burden that imprisons me. Just then, I hear a song with the lyrics, ‘free me from my idols.’ This confirms the image for me, so I begin painting.
As I compose the figures, I also remember famous depictions of Abraham faithfully lifting the knife to sacrifice Isaac on the altar of wood. In the New Covenant, however, Jesus sacrifices himself on the altar. And, by surrendering, Jesus himself becomes the Way. In ‘shouldering my own cross’ I let go of that which is most valuable to me; I follow the Way. Wow!—just as I am writing this I realize something about the image: it is me who is both tied up on the altar, and the one releasing the burden.
…for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. –Philippians 2:13