Good Friday Painting

Crown of Thorns

Pastel

This painting was inspired by the second stanza of an old hymn, "My Jesus, I Love Thee,"  I first painted it many, many years ago and have been asked to paint it over twenty times since.  It has always been a labor of love and this seems like a good time for me to share it again.  The words of the hymn are printed below, with my special verse in bold print.  The words may be considered a bit outdated, but the meaning behind them has not changed.  I hope it speaks to you as it does to me.

My Jesus, I Love Thee

1. My Jesus, I love Thee, I know Thou art mine;
   For Thee all the follies of sin I resign;
   My gracious Redeemer, my Savior art Thou;
   If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.
2. I love Thee because Thou hast first loved me,
   And purchased my pardon on Calvary’s tree;
   I love Thee for wearing the thorns on Thy brow;
   If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.
3. I’ll love Thee in life, I will love Thee in death,
   And praise Thee as long as Thou lendest me breath;
   And say when the death dew lies cold on my brow,
   If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.
4. In mansions of glory and endless delight,
   I’ll ever adore Thee in heaven so bright;
   I’ll sing with the glittering crown on my brow,
   If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.

 And yes, I know He does seem to be smiling.   I like to tell people it is because He is thinking about them - about you! -  and looking forward to being with you in Heaven forever.   Don't let Him be disappointed...