This quote is from the ninth chapter of John’s gospel. He tells the miraculous story of how a man blind from birth is given sight by Jesus. A lot of questions ensue. Is this man who now sees really the same one that was blind from birth? What do his parents have to say? Who is this Jesus and where is he now? And on, and on, and on…

This chapter happens to involve the miracle of sight, but in every encounter of John’s book he is inviting his readers to another way of seeing. Those on the receiving end of miracles think they perceive who Jesus is, but most of them have an incomplete picture. Those religious leaders who feel threatened by Jesus keep a close eye on his every move, while completely missing what his actions are saying. The people who expect to see Jesus overthrow the Romans have set their eyes upon earthly matters, while blind to the Kingdom of Heaven. We too stumble blindly in the darkness, do we not? We think we see Jesus crystal clear only to be reminded again and again that his love is deeper and wider, that his ways are high above our own, and that we need another way of seeing.

Be thou our vision.

And so our artists have spent time studying John, discussing the text and its intersection with our lives, and been transformed by it. The Word has inspired words; the Creator, creations. The God Who Sees Me has lifted our eyes to see him. And we hope by these works of art you too are able to see differently, anew, or by another way. Not just to see them for what they are, but to see Him through them.

A new piece will be added to the gallery at Grace Kernersville through the season of Lent and culminating at Easter. A gallery event will be hosted at the end of April, with a published volume to follow later in the year. We hope to have updates and images of the artwork along our Lenten pilgrimage, so check back in soon.