The initial drawings for this image were done by yet another member of our small group. They come from Jesus’ I AM statement: “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” Again, I’ve cleaned the drawing up and added color to get to the image you see.
The progression of the mandalas from day 1 to day 3 was interesting. Day 3 is shown. Day 1 began as a straight forward rendering of the way, the truth and the life statement. As the individual studied more she incorporated the context of the Last Supper into her mandalas. In her Day 3 mandala she has a central cross which looks like the crosshairs in an optical device. Her crosshairs are aimed at heaven indicating that the cross is The Way. She has a dove to represent the Holy Spirit, the spirit of truth, who convicts us of our sins and moves us towards Christ-likeness. Next she shows a burning bush to remind us of the Creator God who gave us Life and the God who told us who he was by saying I Am who I AM.
The table shows the Last Supper minus Judas. The disciples are represented by maroon semicircles. Judas has left; his place is occupied by wine and bread.
The people at the bottom of the image are searching.
Jesus’ statement that He is the way, the truth and the life, and that no one comes to the Father except through Him is intense. Ravi Zacharias in Jesus among Other Gods states:
“Just look at the implicit claims in that statement. First and foremost, He asserted that there is only one way to God. That shocks postmodern moods and mind-sets. Hinduism and Baha’ism have long challenged the concept of a single way to God. The Hindu religion, with its multifaceted belief system, vociferously attacks such exclusivity.
Jesus also unequivocally stated that God is the Author of life and that meaning in life lies in coming to Him. This assertion would be categorically denied by Buddhism, which is a nontheistic if not atheistic religion.
Jesus revealed Himself as the Son of God who led the way to the Father.”
Look through the crosshairs.