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Caption: The Crucifixion Through the eyes of Chagall
Caption: A visual reflection on the crucifixion story by the Jewish painter Marc Chagall explores the suffering servant Jesus present within the pain and sorrow of the world.
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Caption: 'Apocalypse in Lilac'
Christ in the holocaust with his people.
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Caption: In each of these paintings the Jewish Christ is crucified within the everyday circumstances and terror of war torn village and city life. People fleeing their homes, carrying just a few belongings with them. Women clutching their children tightly, old men trying to escape the horrors of the violent desecration from all sides.
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Caption: And yet there is a sense of hope in these paintings. Despite the pain and suffering there is colour and light from the crucified Christ, present amongst His people, bringing hope and demonstrating the way of eternal love and life. Symbols of hope, of winged angels and birds and of Jacobs ladder giving access to the beauty and peace of heaven.
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Caption: Chagall invites us to reflect on the suffering and persecution of all mankind throughout our world today. Rather than shy away from pain and suffering the artist laments with those who are in trouble. Offering the hope and light of the risen Christ that accompanies us all in the darkest of moments, he invites us to arise and learn to see the beauty and colour within the darkness and to embrace the paradox of life emerging through death that is at the heart of the Easter story.
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Caption: In this final image we see the artist Chagall speaking to the crucified Christ.
An invitation for each of us to do the same.
'And Jesus answered him, 'Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.'
Luke 23:43