No clever title this time. I just want to get right into it. I can’t remember how I found it, but I discovered the Word for Word Bible Comics on Amazon and my local library had copies. I’ve been reading my way through The Gospel of Luke. The concept is that they illustrate a book of the Bible and every text is directly from the NIV. So when you read one of the graphic novels, you are actually reading a book of the Bible.
At the back of the graphic novel, they have a number of articles on the book which, together, make a bit of a mini-commentary.
It has been a very rich and rewarding spiritual experience for me to read through Luke. I can’t tell you how many elements of the gospel story I have either seen in a new light, or remembered why it caught my attention in the first place.
Consider these pictures from what may be one of my favorite stories in any of the gospels Luke 7:36-50. The below is from verses 41-42.
While Jesus is telling the parable to Simon the Pharisee, the artist illustrates the story. It is one cell and from the perspective of the moneylender. Notice the detail of what word the moneylender is writing over the ledger: tetelestai. This Greek word shows up in John 19:30 when Jesus proclaims, “It is finished” right before expiring on the cross.
In the context of Jesus’ life and times, the word tetelestai is used in commercial situations. From archeological digs, we have receipts with the word tetelestai written on them which means the bill has been paid in full.
The word means something much more significant than a commercial transaction for Christians: it is a reminder that the debt of all of our sins has been paid for by the death of Jesus. This small detail by the artist really enriches the moment of the Gospel.
The graphic novel is filled with moments like this. I really recommend checking out these adaptations.