November 2, 2005

[Rev. Doc]

Do They See Jesus In You?

"Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you-unless, of course, you fail the test?"
2 Corinthians 13:5

Count Pietro Rotari was an 18th century artist who received the invitation of the Empress Elizabeth of Russia, daughter of Peter the Great, to come to St. Petersburg as First Painter of the Court. There he was commissioned by Empress Catherine the Second to paint 850 portraits of young Russian women, 850 portraits that devotedly bore an unusual resemblance to Catherine as well as his subjects. It is said that in each picture there was some gesture, pose, facial characteristic, jewel, flower or dress that provided a delicate reference to the empress.

It resembles so clearly what Christ and His light brings into our lives. For when we live in fellowship with Him, by God’s grace He paints delicate resemblances of Himself into us – new attitudes, a reordering of our priorities, new found hope, restored confidence. He would stamp into our lives a willingness to give our trust to one another, not because they deserve it; but because they’re our brother or sister in Christ, just as He has undeservedly entrusted us with His gifts, with His life and with His evangelical task of making disciples of every nation. He would imprint on our heart His brand of love, His devoted service, His undaunting concern for the lost that He graciously dispatched for us.

Prayer: Ask God to help you live your life as a reflection of Christ living in you.

"Not only do we not know God except through Jesus Christ; We do not even know ourselves except through Jesus Christ."
~Blaise Pascal