Symbols in Scripture – Linda Vogt Turner

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?

Epiphany IX: The Bridegroom Called Aside — Set Apart

A red-haired woman rests her hand on a stone jar as an elder, professorial-looking man lifts a glass of wine for a black man draped in saffron to taste.

At Cana, the master of the banquet tastes the wine and the bridegroom is called aside. This ninth Epiphany reflection pauses to notice that phrase — and what it reveals in Lent.

Epiphany VIII: The Anointing

A red-haired woman anoints a white man’s feet at a table while a black man seated in shadow watches.

In Bethany, Simon judges the Teacher — and the Teacher answers with a parable. As Nathan once confronted David, Simon confronts the Teacher of Israel, revealing the need for grace.

But where is Grace — who forgives her sister for anointing her Lord’s feet?

Star of Wonder, Star of Night

Glowing star rising over a mountain peak against a night sky.

From sacred and profane music to biblical story, the Star has long guided faith, memory, and meaning. This reflection traces the Star as a sign of refuge, covenant, and divine promise, woven through Scripture from Noah and Esther to the Magi and the Holy City.