The group removing Christ from the lowered cross are blinded by the light symbolizing the resurrection. Note the cross leads to the resurrection representing the interplay between this life and the life hereafter. This painting along with the paintings, "The Carrying of the Cross", and "Mary Magdalene and the Empty Tomb", form a triptych - three paintings that tell a story over time. These three paintings depict the last three days of Christ's earthly life.

Note: This is the image that was the vision and the calling for the entire project. Wendy Wallace was sitting in the balcony at her church shortly after her mother died in January of 1980. On the altar, she saw the image you see depicted here as if it were being projected on the altar cushion. She looked away and saw floating above the altar the edges of large canvases. She looked back at the altar because if the image was still there she wanted to sketch it quickly. AMAZINGLY IT WAS! Time seemed to stop. Instantly, Wallace knew that she was to do a number (series) of large paintings on the life of Christ that would travel around the country and celebrate Christ's life.