Wood, Fire, Lamb

When Scott mentioned to me that he was planning a sermon series on the life of Abraham, I immediately jumped to the climax in my mind, the sacrifice of Isaac.  What has always struck me about the story is the competing loyalties Abraham must have struggled through - loving his son and obeying his God.  I love the faith he reveals when Isaac asks "The fire and wood are here but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?" and Abraham answers "God himself will provide the lamb". God did provide a lamb for Abraham, and through Jesus, his own son, God provided for us. 

This idea of what is required for a sacrifice - wood, fire and lamb - is the basis for this triptych.  

I hope these paintings help you enter this story more deeply, that you meditate on a little boy carrying wood foreshadowing a man carrying a cross.  That you know gratitude for the sacrifice.