Seeing a Masterpiece

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.