The Infancy of Zeus (1648)

Nicolaes Pietersz Berchem’s The Infancy of Zeus (1648) hangs at The Hague. The baby is the king of the Greek gods, rescued from his father, Chronos, who was inclined to eat all his children. He was saved by being brought to Mount Ida on Crete and entrusted to the beautiful nymph Adrastea. She raises her hand to a goat to keep its distance and not disturb the baby’s afternoon nap while a clumsy satyr does its best not to spill the milk.

When the Lord Jesus was born, a tyrant tried to kill Him, too. Yet He was not entrusted to supernatural beings and powerful creatures, but to Joseph and Mary, an ordinary couple. Although Christ was God the Son, He was brought up as a ‘normal’ human being (if fleeing for your life to Egypt is deemed normal). And as He grew, he eventually returned to his homeland and learned the trade of carpentry, working quietly until such time as He began His ministry. If the infancy of Zeus is interesting enough to warrant a painting, the gospel of Christ is worthy of life-long devotion.

This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. 1 Timothy 1:15