4/7InkzHVUEQeEdU9vpc1tikzEhChrKmPfvXI-FSDBrBQ

temptation

What Does the Devil Look Like?

Temptation-StMarkBasilicaThe Temptation of Christ in Art

What does the Devil look like? The answer is probably “more like us than we want to believe.”

The Devil is a Woman!We like the idea that we can recognize the Devil. We create a visual vocabulary so that we know the devil when we see him (or her). Isaac Louis in the 1600s shows a female devil tempting Christ.

There are centuries of art depicting the devil that engages Christ in the desert with horns, wings (the fallen angel) and a tail. The devil is wicked; anyone can tell just by looking.

The art above the headline shows the three scenes of temptation as depicted in St. Mark’s Basilica. It is straightforward in telling the three encounters with the Devil.

Most religious art becomes sparser in detail in the modern era as is evident in last month’s religious art post about the Transfiguration. Nevertheless, here are two very complex and contemporary depictions that are fascinating in detail. The triptych at the end of this post was found on the web about five years ago. I believe it was by an Episcopalian artist. Details could not be found now.

Temptation James JanknegtThe second is by James B. Janknegt, a contemporary religious artist from Texas. The complexity of this depiction is fascinating. Study it. It was painted in 1990.

The devil is not as easily recognized and the desert is the world we know so well.

What does your desert look like? 

How would you draw or paint the Devil?temptationtriptych

12 Feb 2013

Adult Object Lesson: The Temptation of Christ

Today’s object is a magnet. Magnets are best known for their ability to attract. They can repel but in the end we think of magnets as pulling things toward them.

We often think temptation is the magnet drawing us from the straight and narrow. But the magnet can also draw us back to God.

magnetUse the magnet as you talk to dramatize the repelling nature of the devil and the way the magnet of Scripture and God’s promises keep drawing Jesus and us back. Its power overcomes temptation. You might have someone role play the three temptations and have them drawn toward the magnet, which might be draped over a cross. Or you might have three metallic objects representing each temptation and one by one have them drawn toward the magnet.

The story of the temptation of Christ is a story of drawing Jesus to his mission. The attempt to repel is there but the magnet just keeps drawing Jesus back to focus, back to mission, back to his relationship with his Father.

The first temptation laid before Christ is to think of himself and his own needs and comfort. Jesus responds, “Man does not live by bread alone.” That’s not what I’m about, in other words.

The second temptation is power. “It’s all yours for one low price. Worship me.” Jesus answers again, “That’s not what I’m about.”

The third temptation is an offering from the Devil. “Take the easy way, Jesus. No need to suffer, if that’s what you have in mind. The angels will spare you.”

And Jesus is drawn back to Scripture. “Do not put the Lord your God to the test.”

Another idea

We’ve set the story to music, changing the words to a popular song about temptation. The song tells the whole story and is fun to act out, The tune is so well-known, that it is easy to perform and engage others in joining the chorus. You’ll find links to easy guitar/piano chords.

11 Feb 2013