Depiction of Luke 8:43-48
Title of Art: Encounter
Art Form: Painting
Exhibit Institution: Duc in Altum, Encounter Chapel
Exhibit Location: Migdal, Israel
VM Image #: 0100
Photographer: George Kalantzis
Featured on Podcast: Listen to Podcast
As mentioned in the first episode of The Alabaster Jar's podcast series on the Visual Museum, this large mural in the lower level of a new church in Magdala, Israel, focuses our attention on a woman's hand reaching for the hem of Jesus' garment. Vividly depicting the events of Luke 8:40-48, this mural enlarges the action just above the ground in such a way that we experience the magnitude of her small gesture.
This close-up of the scene from Luke 8:40-48 draws us toward the hemorrhaging woman’s hand. Christ’s power – depicted as a yellow light – leaves his body via his cloak in an instant, her finger barely touching him. While we cannot see her face, her entire body is on the ground. She lowered herself to boldly reach out, and it seems that Christ honors her humility as the power immediately leaves him. Though the text implies that he did not control this release of power, Jesus blesses her, proclaiming “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace” (v. 48, NIV). The artist, zooming in on this moment, invites theological reflection on the enormity this woman’s seemingly insignificant act – the touching of his garment.