Have
you ever seen a real masterpiece? A
work that is quite valuable if not priceless?
I think back to my visit to the Israel Museum in Jerusalem when I got
the chance to see not only fragments of the Dead Sea Scrolls that are priceless
but also to see real copies of paintings of Picasso. I also think of the chance I had a few years
ago to visit the Metrolitan Museum of Art in New York City. There were some masterpieces in those
places.
Of
course, there was works of nature that are masterpieces in my estimation. I think of the time that Ann and I visited the
Grand Canyon in Arizona after a small snowfall in April and saw that beautiful,
massive site. I also thinking of
seeing the beauty of a sun set on the island of Oahu in Hawaii a few years
ago.
Have
you ever seen a masterpiece? Even if
you have travelled to New York City, Hawaii, or Jerusalem I believe you have.
You have seen a masterpiece even if you
are not an art lover or a world traveller for one reason: YOU HAVE LOOKED IN THE MIRROR. Don’t take my word for me. Take God’s word for it. Read these words from Ephesians 2 paying special
attention to the words I have in capital letters here:
4 But because of his great love for us, God,
who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even
when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated
us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the
incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in
Christ Jesus. 8 For it is by grace you
have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the
gift of God— 9 not by
works, so that no one can boast. 10 For
WE ARE GOD’S HANDIWORK , created in Christ Jesus to do good
works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Ephenians 2: 4-10)
The New Living Translation used
the word “masterpiece” in this passage
for the word “handiwork”. Despite
the television commercials that might belittle you because you having used this
or that product, you are a masterpiece for this reason: YOU ARE MADE BY GOD AND MADE IN THE IMAGE OF
GOD.
Everyone has days or times
when they feel bad because of something they have done or not done or something that someone has done against
you. When you are in that place, go
look in the mirror and remember that despite it all you are a masterpiece. You are priceless because you are made by God
and in the image of God. Have a
joy-filled week.- Pastor Randy Wall
PRAYER
-- O God, thank you for creating me and redeeming me through the
grace found in Christ Jesus. Praise you
for your love and mercy; in Christ’s name I pray. Amen.
