"The Artist's Corner..."

Here the Passion of the Christ is re-imagined in the art of Douglas Blanchard.  He depicts Christ as a contemporary young gay man, and in so doing, asks the question, "What If Jesus Were Gay?"

"The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound" -Isaiah 61:1 KJV

“And when he entered Jerusalem, all the city was stirred, saying, ‘Who is this?’ And the crowds said, ‘This is the prophet Jesus.’” -Matthew 21:10-11 (RSV)

"And the Jews' passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting: And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers' money, and overthrew the tables; And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father's house an house of merchandise." - John 2:13-16 KJV

"The chief priests and the teachers of the law heard this and began looking for a way to kill him, for they feared him, because the whole crowd was amazed at his teaching." - Mark 11:18 NIV

"The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus." - John 13:2 NIV

“My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,” he said to them. “Stay here and keep watch.” - Mark 14:34

“Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to capture me?” - Matthew 26:55 RSV

And when he had thus spoken, one of the officers which stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, Answerest thou the high priest so? - John 18:22 KJV

“But he gave him no answer, not even to a single charge; so that the governor wondered greatly.” - Matthew 27:14 RSV

“Behold the man!” -- John 19:5 RSV

“Soldiers treated him with contempt and mocked him.” - Luke 23:11 RSV

“Then Pilate took Jesus and scourged him.”  - John 19:1 RSV

"...and he went out, bearing his own cross, to the place called The Place of a Skull, which in Aramaic is called Golgotha." - John 19:17 ESV

“There they crucified him.” - Luke 23:33 RSV

“While the sun’s light failed… he breathed his last.” - Luke 23:44-46

“They took the body of Jesus, and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom.”

 - John 19:40 RSV

“Even the darkness is not dark to you.” - Psalm 139:12 (Inclusive Language Lectionary)

“I am the resurrection and the life.” - John 11:25 RSV

“Saying this, she turned round and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus…. Jesus said to her, “Do not hold me, for I have not yet ascended.” - John 20:14, 17 RSV

“When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed, and broke it, and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened and they recognized him.” - Luke 24:30-31 RSV

“And he said to them, ‘Why are you troubled, and why do questionings rise in your hearts? See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself; handle me, and see.’” - Luke 24:38-39 RSV

“As they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight.” - Acts 1:9 RSV

“There appeared to them tongues as of fire, distributed and resting on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit.” - Acts 2:3-4 RSV

“The grace of the Sovereign Jesus Christ and the love of God and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” --2 Corinthians 13:14  Inclusive Language Lectionary

All paintings in the series are oil on panel: 
"Gay Passion of Christ" by Douglas Blanchard

H/T: Jesus In Love Blog