Christ the Bride and Bridegroom

Epiphany XIX: Pentecost Joy

A bride and groom kiss beneath descending flames, surrounded by a gathered crowd, with a joyful presider looking on.

At Sinai, the people were prepared to meet with God—so they would hear Him speak with Moses and trust him as the Teacher of Israel.

At Pentecost, those who trusted the Forerunner’s testimony—“the bride belongs to the bridegroom”—celebrate good news of great joy as Peter speaks.

Epiphany XVIII: Cleopas — the Ascension and the Second Coming

A Black man and a red-haired woman sit at the head of a wedding table on a colonnaded porch overlooking the sea, seen from behind, with guests seated across from them in soft focus.

As two companions walked along, Jesus came beside them—yet their eyes were kept from recognizing Him.
Until one, named Cleopas, asked a question that opened the Scriptures.

Epiphany XVII: Cast the Stone, Catch the Fish

A Black man stands in the water holding a net, with a red-haired, blue-eyed woman caught within it, as waves move around them.

Jesus foretold Simon’s denial—“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you like wheat.”

In the miraculous catch, Jesus is revealed in the sifting of Simon—so come, have breakfast.

Epiphany XVI: When Lightning Descends

A Black man stands in the darkened doorway of a stone building as lightning strikes overhead, illuminating his face. In the foreground, a red-haired woman faces him, with a stone stairway directly in front of them.

What does lightning reveal as the Angel descends and the Stone is moved aside?
Mary Magdalene, Peter, and John look inside and see the folded linen cloths—yet the Magdalene weeps, looking for her Lord— the one called aside at Cana.

Epiphany XV: Vinegar and Salt

A red-haired woman holding a small almond branch stands face to face with a Black man, surrounded by leafy fig trees, with a wooden cross between them.

Why is Jesus offered vinegar?

Mockery — or proposal?

Boaz once invited Ruth to dip her bread in vinegar.

At the Cross, that gesture repeats — in Jesus’ final single breath, a covenant is preserved.

Epiphany XIV: The First Stone — Without Deceit, Not Yet Cast

A red-haired woman bends over, touching a white stone tablet on the ground. A black man holding a stone building block stands beside an older white-haired man as both watch.

Nicodemus—the Teacher of Israel—speaks in defense of Jesus, whom the officers and Pharisees seek to have arrested and brought in.
And so the scribes and Pharisees bring in a Woman.

Epiphany XIII: Living Water Proclaims

A white-haired elderly man holding a wine glass looks toward a black man with his hand at the waist of a red-haired woman, who points and looks up toward the black man.

From place to place, Jesus proclaimed what had been kept sacred—
by Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms.
Not all who heard were ready to receive what had been kept hidden.
But those with ears to hear
went—and began to tell.

Epiphany XII: Bethesda — Where the Threads Are Braided

A white-haired man in a camel hair pashmina stands beside a red-haired woman with braided hair carrying a bedroll near a pool in the first century.

Lying there was one who had been unable to walk freely for thirty-eight years.

But how did Jesus know this?

Epiphany XI: Jesus Talk — At the Well: The Source

An older man wearing a camel hair pashmina sits beside a red-haired woman with unbound hair at a stone well. They share a cup of water between them.

A Samaritan and a Jew speak — and those far off think they see what is taking place.
They are speaking at a sacred well — at Noon — the sixth hour.

Epiphany X: Jesus Talk — in the Dark

Man and woman in a first-century setting seated face to face on a couch with sandals removed, moon and night sky visible through a parted curtain behind them.

A night conversation in John’s Gospel raises a question readers seldom ask: Who is the Teacher of Israel — and what is he doing speaking with Jesus in the moonlight?