Inspiration from The Book of Mark
The inspiration from The Bible was to show John The Baptist at the second pinnacle point of his ministry. The first is shown in another AGGA painting titled The Baptism. These two painting’s are an homage to John The Baptist. John is shown as The One Who Prepared The Way For The Lamb of God, and is shown at the end of his ministry on earth when he was beheaded by King Herod because of a promise made to King Herod’s wife’s daughter. The Platter shows a woman named Salome, who was lost in sin, who followed the instructions of her mother Herodias, who was also living a sinful life, and had John The Baptist beheaded only because John would tell them to repent of their sins.
The sinful lives we live often times lead us to cover our faces in shame and not want to live the way God intended us to live. It causes us to not think clearly, sober minded, so we do things that we later regret. The Platter shows a woman who is living the party life and at the same time killing others along her journey. Physically and emotionally killing them. Her life is consumed with cocktails after cocktails with the olive soaking. Her life is full of hatred and evil toward others, and at times her horns pop out in the drunken rages. Her actions and selfishness cause others around her to just drain themselves of all their financial resources and possessions. She is a drain on her own life and eventually gets washed away and slips down to the bottom of the pit.
John The Baptist was one who we should emulate, one who we should imitate. As shown in this painting, John was always looking at The Cross. He knew his purpose, and had his eyes fixed on it. The supernatural vision given to him by God Almighty was so clear to him that his boldness made others fear God because of him. Are you bold in your faith toward the promises of God found in His Word? Are you living a life that you know doesn’t please God? Do you find yourself killing others around you and being a drain? You can turn from those ways. You can wake up each day knowing that God approves you and wants the best for you no matter what you have done.
Jesus is returning one day soon, as John The Baptist proclaimed even during his days. Ask God to forgive you of your sins. Then ask Jesus to come into your heart, and turn from your wicked ways. Read The Word of God. Talk to God in prayer. Believe you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you, but most of all believe that your Heavenly Father loves you all the time no matter what you have done in the past. In Jesus’ Name, …Amen!
