Thought for the day – Saturday 4th July 2020
As I progressed through my on-line Art and Theology course, I increased my knowledge and understanding of art and artists. A lot of this knowledge, has already disappeared from my mind, and more, I am sure, will gradually fade away. But some parts of the course made such an impression on me, that I know I will remember them, and continue to re-visit them, and draw on them, in the future.
One memory was coming across a quote of Leonardo De Vinci, ‘Some people see, some people see when they are shown , and some people do not see’. I presume that he was referring to the way people view art, but he had such a wonderful scientific and mathematical mind, that he may not have limited those words of wisdom to art only. I for one, have never been able to ‘see’ maths, and even if someone shows me how the answer to a cryptic clue is revealed, I still can’t actually see it!
That quote can be applied to all areas of life, from how we adhere to, and interpret, the recommendations and restrictions of Lockdown, to how we read and understand the Bible.
Jesus had this problem, at times, with his disciples. Sometimes they were ‘spot on’ in their understanding, other times they needed further teaching and explanation, and often, they just didn’t ‘get it’. Sometimes it took a period of reflection for it to sink in, as to what Jesus had meant. Remember how angry the disciples were with the woman who anointed Jesus at Bethany, and with the women and children who crowded around him. Remember how amazed the disciples were at the withered fig tree, and even more so at Jesus’ words that their faith was not strong enough. Remember how confused the disciples were when Jesus knelt down and washed their feet, and how they pleaded with him not to go to Jerusalem, and how upset they were when he spoke of his death. Remember how they doubted the accounts of his resurrection until they themselves saw him raised, even though throughout his ministry he had constantly told them what was to happen. How could they have lived and worked with him and been witnesses of amazing miracles and healings, and hearers of such great stories, and not got what he was about?
But this, I suppose, gives us hope, that when we can’t see it, or need repeated explanation, we are not alone. That is the wonderful thing about God’s word. It is a living word. It may have been written thousands of years ago, but those words are as true and relevant to our lives today, as on the day they were written. Whenever we read, or hear God’s word, however familiar a passage it might be to us, there are always new truths within it, just for us, for where we are today, for the mood we are in, and for the circumstances we face.
Sometimes we will ‘see’ God’s message for us straight away, sometimes we will need time to reflect upon it in order to gain insight and knowledge, sometimes we won’t be able to see it at all – but we might do one day!
Reading – 2 Timothy 3: 15 – 17
and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.