There is exciting news in the world of art! A lost painting by famed artist Leonardo da Vinci has been found! It is a 500-year-old painting of Jesus entitled "Salvator Mundi" (or Savior of the World). Art historians estimate the value of the painting to be $200 million! The painting, pictured here, shows Jesus raising two fingers in a traditional form of blessing to the world.
As with many such paintings, there is much symbolism. One artist described the "deeper meaning" of
this painting with these words:
The eight-pointed centre star signifies resurrection and corresponds to the eight lines of the threads found on the stole.The rubyrepresents martyrdom and passion. An unusual vestment tuck seen on the right-hand side of the stole signifies the lance piercing Christ's side. What we now see as a globe was originally an orb (when surmounted by the cross); it probably recalls the words, "I am the Light of the world."The stole symbolises the Voice of Immortality.
One issue that is always before us is this: What is of great worth and more intrinsic value, the representation or the reality? The symbol or the reality which is being symbolized? The ritual or the reality that the ritual is designed to celebrate?
For example, wedding rings are nice, but can we agree that the vows they symbolize are more important? In the same way, baptism is a wonderful ritual of the church. A week from Sunday we will have baptisms at Crosswalk. But baptism is a picture of a deeper reality; namely our union with Christ by faith, and our dying and rising with him! Baptism is important, but the reality of being in union with the Lord by faith is of far greater importance. In the same way, a $200 million representation of Jesus blessing the world is no small thing! But even so, and despite the enormous monetary value of the pictorial representation, I hope we can agree that the actual blessing of Jesus is even more valuable! And that blessing is not lost; it is readily available for free!
If you feel like you have lost the blessing of Jesus in your life, Crosswalk Church is dedicated to helping you find it. Our sermon series entitled "Simply Jesus" takes us to a powerful place this Sunday: the authority of Jesus over evil in the world. Here's the kicker for us: Jesus wants to give us authority over evil as well! This would be a great Sunday to invite someone to come to church with you!
Love in Jesus,
Pastor John
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