The first funeral
Rodin’s “The Thinker” is perhaps his most famous sculpted work of art, but the one that has captured my attention is his work, The First Funeral (pictured here).
This is a sculpture of Adam, carrying his son Abel, to his grave, while Eve watches. Abel was murdered by his brother Cain. Abel’s parents, brokenhearted at their loss, return their son to the earth from where they were created.
When death arrives, as it is destined to do, we can identify with Adam and Eve. The pain of death, the uncertainty of life, and the hopeful promise of redemption offered by God to those who trust him.
Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. (Romans 5:18, esv)
What do you want to be when you grow up?
Occasionally, God uses simple, special experiences to smack me upside the head in such a profound manner that couldn’t have been more effective if he used an actual rough-cut plank of wood against the back of the hard calcium cranial shell protecting my soft gooey insides with the fudgy thought-producing center.
Mired - an analogy
This is just one of the heartbreaking images of birds mired in the oil-soaked beaches of Louisiana as a result of the catastrophic BP oil spill.
This is also an analogous image of the problem of sin. You were created to fly, figuratively speaking. Tragically, rebellion against God absolutely mires you. The sticky muck of sin so covers and so weighs you down you can barely lift your head, much less step out of the filth. It is impossible for you to power your proverbial wings and soar the way you were designed to soar.
