Holy Imagery: Devotional For Monday, June 2

I first came across this painting by Lucas Cranach (around 1529) when I visited the Luther exhibit at the Minneapolis Institute of Art a few years ago. It really stuck with me. During the Protestant Reformation, Martin Luther realized people needed help understanding the difference between law and grace — two key concepts in Christian faith.

Cranach’s painting, called The Law and the Gospel, was his way of teaching that. In fact, Cranach and Luther worked together on the imagery, and this painting went on to become one of the most influential pieces of the entire Lutheran Reformation. Many later works of art are based on it.

The Law

On the left side of the painting, we see the law. There’s a skeleton and a demon (maybe Satan himself) chasing a desperate, naked man, driving him toward hell. A group of prophets, including Moses, are shown pointing at the tablets of the law — underscoring the point that the law by itself, without the gospel, can’t save anyone.

In the background, Adam and Eve are shown taking the forbidden fruit, leading to the fall from grace. Above them, Jesus sits as Judge, his left hand raised in a gesture of damnation. Notice how the tree on this side is barren, a visual reminder of death and separation from God.

We also see a cross with a serpent wrapped around it, which refers back to Numbers 21 — when God sent snakes among the Israelites, and those who were bitten could be saved by simply looking at the bronze serpent Moses lifted up. This points us forward to the cross of Christ, where we only need to look to him to be saved.

The Gospel

On the right side of the painting, we see grace. This time, the same naked man stands beside John the Baptist, who points him toward the crucified Christ. Look closely: under the cross, there’s a lamb trampling a skeleton (symbolizing death) and a grotesque figure (symbolizing evil or the devil). Both have been defeated by Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. Blood flows from Christ to the sinner, with a dove — representing the Holy Spirit — guiding the way.

Up in the sky, the risen Christ stands victorious over the empty tomb, pointing heavenward, showing us the way to God through the miracle of the resurrection.

At the bottom of the painting, Cranach included scriptural references to connect each scene to the Bible.

We can learn so much from art, can’t we? Thanks for letting me share this piece and my love for it with you. May the grace of God be with you always!

Featured art: Law and Grace or Law and the Gospel, Lucas Cranach the Elder, 1529, National Gallery, Prague.