Angels over Jordan
by Barbara Church
(Acrylic on Canvas with silver leaf, 2004, 30" x 24")
Christ Episcopal Church - Ponte Vedra Beach, FL
bchurch@comcast.net
 

 
“Angels Over Jordan” is based on the popular old spiritual, “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot.” It depicts the verse, “I looked over Jordan, and what did I see? A band of angels, comin’ after me ...” The temporal world is separated from the eternal by a band of silver leaf which represents the River Jordan, the boundary between heaven and earth. Below the silver divide, the southern beach town where I live symbolizes earth. Above the divide, angels spread their wings and arms in welcome. The growth aspect of this painting is revealed by the colors of the angels. Since I believe that angels come in all ethnic varieties, white, black, brown, red, yellow, etc., these angel images go even beyond this racial [de]vision, and depict angels that are blue, green, lavender, aqua, pink, and other colors of the rainbow, symbolizing that in heaven, we will not even recognize colors that discriminate in a negative way. All colors will be equal and beautiful. The painting is a statement about unconditional love, about the joy of eternity, and the ultimate equality of all peoples. It is the story of our growth beyond discrimination, into an eternity that welcomes all. And since the dividing line between heaven and earth is fragile, it denotes a vision of heaven that can be realized on earth, if we look, and really see.