Gospel in Art: False prophets, in sheep's clothing but inwardly ravenous wolves

Wolf And Sheep, Drawn by Saad Design, 2022, Digital art © Saad Design, all rights reserved

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 25 June 2025
Matthew 7:15-20

At that time: Jesus said to his disciples, 'Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognise them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorn bushes, or figs from thorn bushes? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognise them by their fruits.'

Reflection on the Digital Artwork

Throughout human history, art has been one of our most powerful tools for storytelling and expression. From the cave paintings of Lascaux dating back to 15,000 BC, to the sculpture and pottery of ancient Greece and Rome that honoured gods, recounted myths, and celebrated daily life, images have helped shape our understanding of the world. With the rise of Christianity, art found a new mission: to proclaim the Gospel visually. The medieval period saw an explosion of sacred imagery, from illuminated manuscripts and altarpieces to Gothic cathedrals, all designed to teach, inspire, and draw hearts toward God. As artistic techniques evolved, so did the materials and mediums: oil painting, perspective drawing, and later photography all opened new avenues for creativity and communication. Today, we stand at the frontier of yet another evolution: digital art-a medium as revolutionary as any that came before it.

Digital art, such as the work featured today by SaadDesign, uses technology, graphic tablets, design software, and digital platforms as both canvas and brush. In a world saturated with screens and visual media, digital art has become a vital tool for evangelisation, able to reach people quickly, effectively, and globally. Just as frescoes once filled medieval chapels, digital visuals now flood websites, social media, films, and games, speaking to a new generation.

The image before us today is both striking and unsettling. It captures in a single glance what it means to be a "wolf in sheep's clothing." Its visual power lies in its immediacy, confronting us with the danger of deception and false appearances. But the image also works in reverse: it reminds us that not all who appear fierce or rough on the outside are what they seem ("a sheep in wolf's clothing"). Sometimes those who look like wolves may, in fact, be gentle sheep beneath the surface, misunderstood or misjudged. The artwork prompts us to see beyond appearances.

Clarity and visual immediacy is one of digital art's greatest strengths. And when harnessed with faith and imagination, digital art can proclaim the Gospel with fresh urgency, inviting new generations of people into the drama of our Christian story.

LINKS

Gospel in Art: https://christian.art/
Today's Reflection: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/matthew-7-15-20-2025/ (with audio)