You know the funny or not-so-funny irony here is that those who promote actions that lead to addiction or bondage often do it under the guise of "don't keep God's laws and don't turn to Jesus because that's so restrictive, old fashioned and designed to control you." When the reality is, only those who live as Christ encourages us to live and who keep His laws are really free.
Several years ago I heard a young woman speak about her recent service in Iceland. She told that in the Icelandic language the word for the Savior is interpreted to mean, the loosener. The loosener because He loosens the chains that hold us bound. I absolutely love that definition of Jesus and it inspired this painting.
Jesus holds the keys to our freedom on all levels! In this picture you do not see His face. I wanted to push the viewer to look at His hands and His generous offering to unlock the handcuffs on this young man's wrists. He understands us and holds the key to helping us as no other ever could. He has suffered the most intimate parts of all our suffering and all our addictions.
Christ's name is always associated with freedom, religious, political, personal and in all other arenas. His counterpart, the adversary, no matter how easy his suggestions are to our ears, or how popular his ideas, will always be about slavery and bondage.
Share this with someone who is struggling with their own form of bondage... and pretty much, are there any of us who aren't struggling on some level or another?
prints are going to be made available for each of these featured paintings by June 2019
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