At the Foot of the Cross

“But he was wounded for our transgressions, 
he was bruised for our iniquities; 
the chastisement for our peace
was upon Him; and by His stripes
we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5).

It would be well for us to spend a thoughtful hour each day in contemplation of the life of Christ. We should take it point by point, and let the imagination grasp each scene, especially the closing ones. As we thus dwell upon His great sacrifice for us, our confidence in Him will be more constant, our love will be quickened, and we shall be more deeply imbued with His spirit. If we would be saved at last, we must learn the lesson of penitence and humiliation at the foot of the cross.”—Ellen G. White.^*

^* Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages (Mountain View, Calif.: Pacific Press Pub. Assn., 1898, 1940), p. 83.

Poem

Whose Wounds These Are
By Elise Harboldt

Style inspired by Robert Frost’s “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening”

Whose wounds these are, I think I know.
His home is in the heavens, though;
I know He sees me stopping here
To watch His wounds and see them flow.

My finite mind must think it odd
That the beloved Son of God,
So innocent, so pure, and good,
Would give His life for one so flawed.

He gives me healing by His stripes,
Extends to me eternal life.
No condemnation now I fear,
For by these wounds, He’s paid the price.

The wounds are lovely, dark, and deep,
Proof of the promises He keeps.
So death is really just a sleep—
So death is really just a sleep.

Elise Harboldt is pursuing a Ph.D. in Theology and Religious Studies at Cambridge University.

 Digital Painting

By Ifeanyichukwu Daniel Ufomba

The painting powerfully depicts Jesus kneeling and bleeding under the weight of the cross, symbolizing His immense physical and spiritual suffering. His expression of anguish, combined with the crown of thorns, reflects the heavy burden of humanity’s sins. Exhausted figures draped over the cross signify the disciples’ failure to support Him, emphasizing humanity’s spiritual fatigue. The dark-blue palette evokes feelings of sorrow, loneliness, and emotional distance, deepening the scene’s impact. The barren branches, ominous birds, and dark sky contribute to the foreboding atmosphere, while a distant, bright moon represents a fragile hope amid the despair. The light within the cross signifies His divine presence in this most significant event leading to humanity’s salvation. The artwork aims to capture profound emotional and spiritual themes, reflecting Jesus’ agony before and during His crucifixion. 

Ifeanyichukwu Daniel Ufomba is a visual artist from Nigeria whose work challenges conventions, seamlessly blending creativity with storytelling mainly in digital mediums. | Instagram: @ifuf_001