Christ is coming! This thought occupies our minds during the season of Advent, and we long for his appearing. When Jesus comes, he will come to judge the living and the dead. We do not shrink from this judgment. Rather, as the Last Day approaches, we straighten up and lift our heads, for our redemption is drawing nigh (Lk. 21:28).
The artwork here pictured is an image of Christ in judgment. This particular icon is called “Christ Pantokrator,” that is, “Christ Almighty.” It is located at St. Catherine’s Monastery at Mount Sinai. The monastery was founded under the Emperor Justinian I (c. 482-565) toward the end of his reign. This icon dates from that same period, and Justinian may have been the one who gave it to the monastery.
When looking at the icon, perhaps the first thing that jumps out is the asymmetry of Jesus’ face. His eyes don’t point in the same direction. His eyebrows, mouth, and facial hair are not balanced. His right side is soft and lit, while his left side is shadowy and harsh. What’s going on?
Cover up the left half of the icon so that the left side of Jesus’ face is showing. Notice that he is entirely angry. His eye rages, his mouth curls in disgust, and in his hand he holds a book. This is Christ condemning the goats whom he will place on his left in the Judgment (Mt. 25:33, 41-45). The book of life that he holds in his hand is shut to them, for they rejected the Gospel. And note well: Jesus is not looking at you.
Now cover up the right side of the icon so that Jesus’ right side is showing. Notice how meek and kindly Jesus looks. His face is peaceful, and he holds up his right hand in blessing. This is Christ welcoming the sheep into the kingdom that was prepared for them from the foundation of the world (Mt. 25:34-40). And notice his eye! He isn’t looking off to his right, as if you, the viewer, were somehow neither a sheep on the right nor a goat on the left. But he looks at you! His left eye looks at the goats over there somewhere, but his right eye looks at his sheep, his dear little lambs, and there you are, held in his gaze.
This is a call for steadfastness. On the Last Day we know which eye we want looking at us. The artist has given us a taste of what we desire so that we won’t fall away from Christ, so that we won’t stop going to church, so that we won’t stop listening to God’s Word, so that we won’t love the things of this world. May the Lord preserve us steadfast in the true faith to life everlasting.
In Christ,
Pastor Richard
