A Divine Masterpiece

This weekend, my husband, Dale and I went to see the Impressionist Exhibit at the Kimball Art Museum. It was fascinating to see original works by famous painters such as Monet, Renoir, Van Gogh, and Cezanne. Although Dale appreciated seeing these great masterpieces, he was satisfied with a 45 minute tour. However, I wanted to linger at each painting to observe every brush stroke, every hue and shading technique. Several art students were at the exhibit taking notes and memorizing the exquisite details in those great works of art. I will probably have to go back and take notes myself!

I was so inspired by the use of color and design that these artists dared to explore during their lifetime. The impressionists rose out of France in the late 1800's and early 1900's. They were rebels against the Western art of the Renaissance period. Up until the late 1800's artists primarily painted formal portraits and Biblical scenes. The Renaissance artists painted realistic, concrete images. The impressionists experimented with figures in every day life and their painting techniques leaned more toward the abstract, and eliminated clean lines. The use of color and vivid brush strokes became more prominent.

What led these brilliant artists to rebel against what was considered to be normal and acceptable? The impressionists were initially criticized for rebelling against the culture of their time. They were continually misunderstood. But what if they hadn't rebelled? We wouldn't have the works of art that are so beautifully admired today.

Sometimes rebellion can be a good thing. I am thankful that Jesus rebelled against the religious culture of His day. The Pharisees, or pious, religious leaders carried an image in their minds of what the Messiah would look like--a majestic king, robed in royal clothing, with a jeweled crown. They pictured Him to be a conquering warrior; a commanding hero who would set up a magnificent earthly kingdom. Yet God sent another portrait of the Messiah--a humble carpenter, dressed in ordinary street clothes, who held children in His lap and spoke to half-breed women. Instead of seizing power over nations and kingdoms, Jesus taught, "the last shall be first and the first shall be last."

Many times I ask myself--what would I have done with this Messiah if I would have lived when Jesus lived? Would I have seen Him for who He was or would I have looked for someone else? I believe that God is still painting images of Jesus today. He is still presenting "brush strokes" and "color schemes" that seem foreign to me at times; foreign because my flesh does not often see the things God's Spirit longs for me to see. Even now, God is rebelling against the culture of our day. He fights against what seems to be normal in our finite realm of thinking..

However, God, in Holy rebellion is painting the Way, the Truth and the Life, and when all is said and done; we will see Him as He is! We will be filled with awe and wonder one day, as we gaze upon the Masterpiece that God has been painting all along. Oh Lord, help us to catch a glimpse of the images of Christ that you are painting in our lives today. May we see with the eyes of the Spirit and not miss the beauty that you long for us to see...