The Greatest Masterpiece
When you think of the word masterpiece, what comes to mind? Is it Da Vinci’s “The Last Supper” or “Mona Lisa’? How about Michelangelo’s fresco painting, “The Creation of Adam” that makes up part of the ceiling in the Sistine Chapel? Or maybe “Starry Night” (van Gogh) or “The Scream” (Munch). Maybe you are not into art. Then how about Alexandros of Antioch’s “Venus de Milo,” Michelangelo’s “Pieta,” located in St. Peter’s Basilica, Rodin’s “The Thinker,” all sculptural masterpieces.
In classical music, Handel’s “Messiah” and Beethoven’s “Fifth” are considered their greatest works. World literature masterpieces include Homer’s “Iliad” and “Odyssey, “Hamlet” (Shakespeare), “Moby Dick” (Herman Melville), Chaucer’s “The Canterbury Tales, “Pride and Prejudice” (Jane Austen), and Poe’s poem “The Raven.” Architectural jewels include the Taj Mahal, Sydney (Australia) Opera House, Colosseum and Pantheon in Rome, Moscow’s St. Basil’s Cathedral, Grand Palace in Bangkok, and the only remaining Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Pyramid of Giza, near Cairo, Egypt.
You likely recognize many of the works of art just mentioned, they are all well known. But for something to be a masterpiece, it does not need worldwide or historical familiarity. A masterpiece is nothing more than an outstanding work of artistry, craftmanship or skill that is given much critical praise, usually considered someone’s greatest work or achievement, their magnum opus. You and I have created masterpieces of our own. Pause for a minute and think of what you have done or created that might be considered your greatest accomplishment. If you can’t think of anything, think some more!
Everything God created is good; from the vastness of the galaxies to the grandeur of the oceans, all the way down to the tiniest little annoying bug. But you and I, every one of us, we are God’s greatest creation. We are made in His image, which by itself makes us His masterpiece.
Your beauty, your value, does not depend upon what you have done or not done, said or not said, what you have done for others, or even what has been done to you. Our beauty comes because of who created us. Nothing can ever change that! The world, or even that little voice inside your head, might tell you otherwise, but just know that you are God’s greatest work or art, His highest masterpiece, and with you He is well pleased. In Ephesians 2:10, we read these words – “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago” (NLT).
The Greek work used in that verse for masterpiece is poiema, from which we get the word poem. You and I, we are God’s poem, His work or art, His magnum opus. We are created by God. We are an expression of His inner being.
So, today, despite how you might feel, or what someone tells you, just know – and believe! – that in God’s eyes you are stunning, you are magnificent, you are His masterpiece. Right now, will you thank God for creating you in His image and ask Him to help you see yourself, and live and breathe, in a way that reflects that masterful beauty to the world around you.
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