Jesus Rises from the Dead

Secular presentation

The first glorious mystery

Christians have a saying:

"Death, where is thy victory?"

If in the previous picture the artist hinted that 'death was not the end', then here he makes it plain.  Jesus is still both God and man at the same time, but His body has been changed spiritually.  He has risen from the dead and readily transcends material nature!

Guards had been posted to his tomb in case anyone tried to fake His resurrection.  The artist makes it clear that the guards have a supernatural experience they'd rather forget!  Jesus is shown holding a standard with a cross upon it - for the cross upon which He hung is now the symbol of His victory over death, His victory over sin, and of His self-sacrifice, done out of the love for the people He wants to save from sin, which He equates to death.

The supernatural state of His being is shown by the artist - not only is Jesus alive, but He still bears the open wounds of being nailed to the cross.  The artist shows that with Jesus' rising from the dead, comes a 'new dawn': not just of a new day, but of a new era for all people.  The era of Jesus the King, and the invitation to be a friend of His and turn away from sin.