I have come to light a fire on the earth... - Luke 12:49

As the blessed celebration of Easter continues, Ellyn von Huben brings the beauty of this indescribable event into our grasp for a moment— through the interpretation of Cecco del Caravaggio's arresting painting "Resurrection." The dynamism of the figures convey far more than just an historical event. Ellyn explains.

Those who are familiar with the work of Caravaggio know that not all of his paintings are of a spiritually elevating nature. Indeed, some of his paintings, no matter how exquisitely executed, are of subjects that would render them unsuitable as fine art prints in a family home. One book that I own describes the artist, Michelangelo Merisi, aka Caravaggio, thus: “His life was sulphurous and his painting scandalous.”(1) That encapsulates much that we need to know. The Holy Spirit can work through artists – both contemporary and of centuries past – to bring forth art of a sanctifying nature, no matter how sulfphurous the artists themselves may be. (Likewise, I must interject that there is much well meaning work of dubious quality created by earnest artists and composers of the purist of hearts and best of intentions.)