Today's Scripture | Ephesian 2:10
And He answered him, ‘Pursue, for you shall surely overtake them and without fail recover all.’
The story is told that, as Leonardo da Vinci was deeply engrossed in painting “The Lord’s Supper,” he also was deeply embroiled in a feud with a fellow painter.
Da Vinci was so enraged that, when he began to paint Judas, he added his enemy’s face to the figure, so all of history would see that man as a traitor. When he moved on to paint the face of Jesus, he could not paint Him satisfactorily. Finally, he realized that his animosity towards his colleague was preventing him from painting Jesus’ face.
After seeking out his friend to ask his forgiveness, da Vinci went back to the work and changed Judas’ face. Only then was he able to paint Jesus – the Prince of Peace – and finish the now-famous masterpiece.
Forgiveness is an act of the will, a decision to extend grace and mercy in spite of our emotions. In the last moments of His life, as He hung despised on the Cross, Jesus breathed out the words, “Father, forgive them.”
Who is it that you need to forgive? How is the refusal to forgive that person keeping you from the good works that God has ordained for you to complete? Forgive that person, so you can get back to work and Christ can complete the good work He began in you.
A Prayer for You Today...
May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you and give you His peace. Be quick to forgive, so God may continue His work of making a masterpiece of you! In Jesus' name, amen.