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Listen while you read: "His Eye Is On The Sparrow"1 (Lyrics) |
As an artist, I have been asked to paint portraits, sometimes of one who has passed as a remembrance for the family. I studied with an exceptional art teacher, who trained in the ateliers and museums of Europe, to learn the exacting practice of portraiture. It is the greatest test for an artist to portray a convincing likeness, especially of a beloved person. Imagine being commissioned to paint a portrait of royalty, or a prime minister! The pressure to produce a perfect likeness while communicating the warm, human presence of the sitter is daunting.
What would a portrait of love look like? For Christians, Jesus is the very likeness of love. As we are called to love like Jesus, what would our life portraits look like? The apostle John paints two pictures of rebellion and love for us:
1 John 3:11-15 – For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another, not as Cain who was of the wicked one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his works were evil and his brother's righteous. Do not marvel, my brethren, if the world hates you. We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death. Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. (NKJV)
Cain's portrait is of one who failed to love. Apparently, his pride, disobedience, and lack of faith led to God's rejection of his grain offering, and undoubtedly, he became angry, jealous, and hateful. He ignored God's warning and committed the ultimate crime of murdering his brother, Abel. Cain's attempt to hide his sin was ridiculous. Most of us would never contemplate a crime like this. Yet, the inner sins of jealousy, gossip, slander, ignoring, and just wishing another to die are just as grievous as the sin of murder, and harbouring such sin is to invite the bitterness of death. It shows that eternal life is not living within.
Jesus' portrait is one of love. I have seen many portraits of Jesus in churches and art museums, but do they show what He is like? His likeness would be of self-sacrifice, the willingness to lay down one's life for someone else, if called to do so. It would be a daily sacrifice, not just of things but of our time, energy, schedule, routine, and checklist, in order to minister to another. It would mean putting down the cellphone to serve — even those who are unloving and harmful — to show them the love of Jesus.
We love in action and in truth. Love without action is an illusion, and action without love is a lie. Only God's love and strength can enable us to resemble the portrait of Jesus. Truth and action in the lives of Christians is world-changing, as it is meant to be. Do you believe that the Bible is truth? Do you show the love of Jesus to others, and are you abiding in Him? If so, then you resemble Him in this life.
Prayer: Thank You, dear Lord, for Your love and sacrifice. You have shown us who we are to resemble, as Your followers. Give us the strength each day to show Your love to others, and to continue abiding in You. Amen.
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Thanks for the challenging words, Shirley.
Thank you for sharing this encouraging devotional with us today.
Blessings.
I love reading such true accounts of God’s Word. Thank you for this.
Amen Shirley…
Thank you for sharing this devotional!
May our God continue to help us love others the way Christ loves us!
Thank you, Shirley, for writing. I love hearing how God has blessed you with such an artistic gift, and your prayer today is wonderful it is the desire of my heart also. Thank you for sharing with us.
This is lovely, Shirley and so true: Only God’s love and strength can enable us to resemble the portrait of Jesus.
I also looked up your website and am very impressed!
You could not possibly know how timely what you have written is unless a reader told you. Thank you for this thoughtful contribution. The timing is confirmation that God is at work in both you and me.
Shirley – My cousin shows photos of the portraits she creates, and you have put the process into words. Thank you for bringing this dimension to a skill that I greatly admire. God distributes gifts in many ways.
Somehow with things like medical assistance in dying, abortion, and perverting His Word, I think Jesus’ portrait would be more like when He overturned the tables in the temple. It’s always easier to turn your back rather than confront evil with action.
Good morning, Shirley!
Thank you for the beautiful portrait of love you painted for us today. I pray that we will see the beauty of others in the same way whenever we look at them.
Well done, Shirley! You are equally skilled at painting with words as with oil paint. (Thank you for including the link which enabled us to see your beautiful gallery of art work.) Thank you also for motivating us to reflect Jesus in our daily lives.
Thanks, Shirley, for your positive words today. Yes, showing love and concern for others in the way Jesus did is so beneficial, not only to the receiver but also the giver. Our world would certainly be more peaceful if more people would follow the heart of our loving Lord. Blessings for your special writings and it was interesting to hear that you have been blessed with artistic ability.
Hello Shirley: enjoyed today’s meditation. It reminded me of a story that I once read somewhere.
An artist had been commissioned by a church to paint the crucifixion to hang in their sanctuary. He tried several times but just couldn’t get it right. Finally he put the partly finished work in a corner. He needed to earn some money if he was to eat. He went outside and hired a young gypsy girl to sit for a portrait that he could sell quickly. As she posed for the portrait, she saw his painting in the corner and asked about it. He told her the story of how Jesus was crucified for us so that we would be forgiven of our sins. As she was leaving the studio she said, “He must have loved you very much to sacrifice his life like that.” At that moment, the artist realized what was wrong with his painting. He had done a fine job of showing Christ’s suffering on the cross. But he had missed showing his love.
Blessings.
Thank you Shirley for your devotion.
(Québec)