Love Written in Stone

28Apr08

Recently I had the opportunity to see a large display of the earliest Christian art, beginning around 300 A.D., and progressing through the year 560. What struck me as profound was this: there was no evidence of any lasting artworks about Christ earlier than the year 300 because Christianity appealed primarily to the poor, down-trodden, and the lowly. From the birth of Gospel of Christ and throughout the first three hundred years, Christianity flourished among the nobodies– gentiles, fishermen, and common folk. Later, when the wealthy and influential began to convert, they had the means to create lasting works of art. History confirms the story true to the words of Christ- the Son came to seek and to save that which was lost– those who are acutely aware of their neediness.

Every person is a person of value, and although we ARE so insignificant, it is in our smallness that we see the vastness of His love. So while we wrestle with two competing perspectives- our insignificance and our inestimable value- we are more able to grasp the magnitude of the gift of His love poured to us as we really are. Very, very small.

Jesus loves me, this I know
For the Bible tells me so
Insignificant ones to him belong,
They are weak, but He is strong.

He knows every stain on our heart, every inconsistency in our character, and every selfish desire we cater to, yet He loves us enough to pay with His life. Hard to believe, but that is our invitation. I hope you’ll take time to listen to Brennan Manning in this four minute video talking about the depth, intensity, and vastness of God’s love.

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Tags: Biblical Art, Brennan Manning, God's love