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Christ in the Wilderness – Reflecting on the paintings by Stanley Spencer

Reviewed by Jayne Calkin.

When I was given this book to review I glanced dismissively at the painting on the cover and inwardly groaned. “Oh no” I thought to myself, “I’m going to have to waste time reviewing some esoteric rubbish!” How wrong I was!

I am humbled and grateful to see God’s timing in giving me this beautiful book. Coming to the end of a six-month sabbatical, I decided to fast for at least three days, waiting on God for the next chapter in my walk with him. Today, Day Three, is the day I picked up Stephen Cottrell’s gem. Cottrell’s reflections have drawn me afresh to sit with my Lord, contemplating five of Stanley Spencer’s paintings from a series of eight titled, “Jesus in the Wilderness”.

Spencer’s biographer, Kenneth Pople, notes that “Stanley’s Christ is a workmanlike figure fashioned in the image of the medieval master-masons he so admired … a powerful, stubble bearded Christ quite unlike the conventional Victorian “pale Galilean”. I don’t know about you, but this Jesus who rolled up his sleeves to get into the midst of the grime of humanity is, for me, very approachable.

These paintings are set in a battle-scarred terrain reminiscent of the Macedonia where Spencer (1891-1960), fought in WW1.The five paintings are titled, Rising from sleep in the morning; Consider the lilies; The Scorpion; Foxes have holes; and The hen.

Cottrell encourages his reader to first sit with the paintings, one at a time before reading his accompanying reflections. The paintings were for me touchingly full of Christ’s humanity, yet the associated images in each piece speak volumes of God’s heart and purposes.

I heartily recommend this treasure as a devotional to savour and supp on, to slow down and stop with, and allow God to capture your heart afresh. This is a great tool for a mini retreat.