Exodus 20:1-17 / 1 Cor 1:22-25 / John 2:13-25
One of the most fascinating objects in this world is art. For some of us, or maybe most of us, art is just a piece of drawing or painting.
Some art pieces are beautiful, some are ordinary-looking, some are abstract, and some are just mysterious.
What is so fascinating about art pieces is the price of some of the paintings. Art pieces in the museums are termed as “priceless” as those art pieces are deemed as a national treasures or heritage. They are for exhibition only.
Art pieces in the art galleries are for sale and the price ranges from a few hundred dollars to a few million dollars.
What is fascinating, and intriguing, is that why would people pay a huge sum of money for a piece of painting by some renowned artist?
When we look at paintings like the “Mona Lisa” by Leonardo da Vinci, or “Sunflowers” by Vincent van Gogh, or paintings by Rembrandt and Picasso, we may wonder why the paintings are either priceless or so pricey.
But let us listen to what some people say about art.
“The aim of art is not to represent the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance.” (Aristotle)
“Art is not what you see but what you make others see.” (Edgar Degas)
So, art speaks where words are unable to explain. In other words, art is like a sign. It points to something else much deeper.
Those who understand the art or the painting and what it is pointing to, or its significance and deeper meaning, will be willing to pay the price for it.
In the gospel is the account of the occasion when Jesus cleansed the temple. It was an act that certainly angered those who are doing business there and hence they asked Jesus, “What sign can you show us to justify what you have done?”
The reply of Jesus was astonishing, and in intriguing, when He said, “Destroy this sanctuary and in three days I will raise it up.”
Of course, at that moment, no one really understood what Jesus meant, until much later after His Resurrection.
It is like looking at a priceless painting and wondering why it is so valuable. But those who have the insight will be able to understand and see the significance and meaning.
There is this story of a wealthy man and his son who loved to collect rare works of art. They had everything in their collection from Picasso to Raphael. They would often sit together and admire the great works.
Then the son was called up to go to war. He was very courageous and died in battle while rescuing another soldier. The father was notified and he grieved deeply for his only son.
Sometime later, that was a knock at the door. A young man stood at the door with a large package in his hands. He said, “Sir, you don't know me, but I am the soldier for whom your son gave his life. He saved many lives that day and he was carrying me to safety when a bullet struck him in the heart and he died instantly. He often talked about you and your love for art.”
The young man held out his package. “I know this isn't much. I'm not really a great artist but I think your son would have wanted you to have this.”
The father opened the package. It was a portrait of his son, painted by that young man. He stared in awe at the way the soldier had captured the personality of his son in the painting especially the son’s eyes. The father was so drawn to the eyes of his son in the painting.
He thanked the young man and offered to pay him for the picture. “Oh no sir, I could never repay what your son did for me. It is a gift for you.”
The father hung the portrait in the living room. Every time visitors came to his home, he took them to see the portrait of his son before he showed them the other works of art.
Sometime later the father died. There was to be a great auction of his collection of paintings. Many influential people gathered, excited over seeing the great paintings and having an opportunity to purchase one for their collection.
On the platform was the painting of the son. The auctioneer pounded his gavel. “We will start the bidding with this picture of the son. Who will bid for this picture?”
There was silence. A voice from the crowd shouted, “We want to see the famous paintings. Skip this one!”
But the auctioneer persisted. “Will someone bid for this painting? $100, $200?” Another voice shouted angrily, “We didn't come to see this painting. We came to see the valuable paintings.”
But still the auctioneer continued, “The painting of the son, the painting of the son, who will take the painting of the son?
Finally, a voice came from the very back of the room. It was the long-time gardener of the man and his son. “I will give $10 for the painting.” Being a poor man, it was all he could afford.
The crowd shouted, “Give it to him for $10!” The crowd was becoming angry. They didn't want the picture of the son. They wanted to see the more valuable paintings.
The auctioneer pounded the gavel. “Going once, going twice, sold for $10 to that gardener.” The crowd shouted, “Now let's get on with the collection.”
The auctioneer laid down his gavel. “I'm sorry, but the auction is over.” “What about the paintings?” the crowd asked.
“I'm sorry. When I was called to conduct this auction I was told of a secret stipulation in the will. I was not allowed to reveal that stipulation until this time. Only the painting of the son would be auctioned. Whoever bought that painting would inherit the entire estate, including the paintings. The man who took the painting of the son gets everything.”
This story reminds us that God sent His only Son to save us by dying on the Cross.
The Cross is certainly not a piece of art or an ornament.
It is a sign of God’s saving love for us in the person of Jesus.
When we truly embrace the Cross, then we will experience the power and the wisdom of God.
If we truly believe in the Son of God, we will take up our cross and follow Him from the agony of life to the glory of the Resurrection.