Final answer:
In early Christian art, direct images of the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Christ were absent due to Christianity being a mystery religion. Instead, the theme of death and resurrection was represented through images from the Old Testament. Luke emphasized these themes even more than the death of Christ.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the early Christian art of the third century, there is an absence of direct images of the Nativity, Crucifixion, or Resurrection of Christ. This is because Christianity was considered a mystery religion and these stories were part of the secret cult.
However, the theme of death and resurrection was represented through other images from the Old Testament. For example, the story of Jonah being swallowed by a great fish and then being vomited out after three days and three nights was seen as a prefiguration of Christ's death and resurrection.
While the importance of the cross is not overlooked, Luke emphasized the themes of death and resurrection even more in his writings.