Scarlet Robe Creations

Alexander Andreyevich Ivanov (1806-1858) - Christ's Appearance to Mary Magdalene After the Resurrection This is the third day. It has no end. The blood of Friday has passed. We live in a Sunday eternal. This is the third day. The stone has fallen away. The light has returned to the world. Darkness is submissive to Him. This is the third day. There is no need for tears. He has come to Mary. She has told His friends. This is the third day. A day of everlasting joy. The world will never mourn, for those who seek His truth. copyright 2024 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

James Tissot -The Pilgrims of Emmaus on the Road -1886-1894 It's just a road, like any road, dirt, stone, dust. It leads us to a place. It could have been any place. We were two, unimportant, except for this one scene, this one moment.  There were other travelers. Most were burdened, as we. Most were shocked by the cruelty of man, upon man. Some had been hopeful. Some had doubts. He could have stepped up beside any others. His shawl keeping the dust from his eyes. A traveler like us, no different, except for what he lacked. How is it, you do not know. How is it you are unaware. It is as if the sun has set on us, and refused to rise. This one gave us hope. This one spoke of things differently than any of the others. How is it, you do not know. It's just a road, like any road, dirt, stone, dust. It leads us to a place. It could have been any place. We were two, unimportant, except for this one scene, this one moment. We are two, joined by one who didn't seem to know. copyrigh

Feast in the House of Simon the Pharisee by Rubens, c. 1618 Why am I asked the question.  A parable about debts.  Certainly, the man who owes a greater amount will be all that much more grateful to have a loan forgiven.  But the spectacle at the table, kneeling on the floor, crying, how does this relate to transactions of coin? You have judged correctly. Was this a test of some sort.  Do I need to be tested.  The woman, God knows what she is.  Is that the debt he refers to.  He is a prophet.  Does he not know that this is a woman who sells her flesh.  She defiles the temple of her body.  Yet he looks at her with deep compassion and looks at me like I am a student who requires to be taught a simple lesson. Simon, do you see this woman?  You have judged her to be unclean. You have walked on a separate side of the street, so that you would not pass her and fall unto the same judgement. Simon, when I came to your house my feet were dusty from my journey. You offered me no water to wash. Ye

Sing, when all others have gone silent. Sing, words of your persecution. Sing, syllables appealing not to man. Sing, when you are told to be silent. Sing, when the archer's arrow flies. Sing, when the temple is left in ruin. Sing, when praise is your last breath. copyright 2024 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr.

He has been left in the tomb. The Passover, His Passover, a lamb slaughtered, each doorpost etched with His blood. He was despised and rejected. His love, spat upon, by those who feared His truth. No political voice spoke in His favor. He was slain by the righteous. One from whom people hide their faces. Who can look at what they have done. He counts His bones and forgives. Those who know His love will find the wrappings where vacated flesh once laid. Doubt festers until a single question is asked, "Why do you shed tears?" They have taken the Lord's body. In the morning there is a dance of joy, delayed, until they understand, the blood and sweat on the linen and the words of an angel and the crucified Lord. copyright 2024 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

Between light and darkness. An overcast moment trapped between the sun going dark and the stone rolling away. Emptiness replaces fear. With the gray morning there comes reality, all have denied and have fled into the darkness. But yesterday, He was still with us, though painfully. His wounds were nightmarish streaks of blood. The prophet called them stripes. And then the world was dark, trembling. The earth knows of its creator. We speculate. So, in our doubt, we sit in shadowed rooms, afraid to light a candle, or stand by the window. Feeling to the core that He is not with us. Praying that the emptiness will pass and that the sun might rise again. copyright 2024 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

The Last Supper (1325-1330) - Ugolino da Siena Dine with us. Celebrate the night when lamb's blood was wiped on the doorpost. You'll not share another like this. The physical law has become a spiritual grace. We come to the upper room where everything is prepared. Blood of one perfect lamb becomes the wine of another. A sacrifice bringing life to you. Hold the bread in your hands for one moment. It is the flesh that will nourish your spirit. A covenant offered. Come and sit. Dine with us. Embrace what you are freely given. The pain of days to come will blend into joy. Cries made to Heaven for what has been lost will become shouts of rejoicing eternal. copyright 2024 - Donald P James Je https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

"This spectacle disturbs me," Amos says.  He looks out over the crowd gathering at the gates to the great city. "They are simple minded," the elderly man beside him replies. "But I've heard things... about this one." "How often have they walked upon this soil.  How often have they told us to change our ways.  The people think a man like that can raise up an army and send the Romans from our city.  Is there a benefit to riots... or war." "I don't suppose so." "Amos, you are young.  You experience the world with a lack of wisdom.  Your life has a certain degree of comfort, as does mine.  Insurrection against the powers that leave us to live this life... would harm none but those who profess the faith.  The Romans would see us as one united group of rebels.  The nation would perish and the temple will be leveled." "And what about them?" "The simple minded gnats.  They excite themselves with tales of miracle

Christ Among the Parisees - Jacob Jordaens (1593 - 1678) Are they hypocrites, not belonging to the father, weeds, not wheat? Scholars seeking only to destroy the Word threatening their authority. The Word was not spoken of itself. He was made flesh by the one with whom the hypocrites claim intimacy. Hypocrites. Weeds in the field. White washed bones in a parched desert. Hypocrites criticizing the Word spoken, sinning against the Spirit. copyright 2024 - Donald P James Jr  https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author