So today ihad the whole morning free, and decided to go check out the museum of San Marco. Its an old monastery that houses lots of art from the 1400's, right during the transition from Gothic style to Renaissance style. Fascinating! Especially since I brought the book and read up on the history of the place as I went through. They were grappling with issues of faith and science, as well as how to make their faith relevant in a new age. The building expressed that, as did the artwork.
It was so refreshing to see Christian art. So much of the art I have seen recently is pagan art from Greece, or pagan-inspired art. This art was Christian,and was a good reminder to me that I am not the only Christian trying to make my faith relevant to life who has ever lived in this city!
One piece was particularly inspiring. It was a painting, set alone in a room, of Christ suffering on the cross, lots of anachronistic people surrounding him. This was often the last portrait condemned prisoners saw before execution. I noticed that some people wore halos, and some didn't, and all of the sudden I started to think: does this reflect my worldview?
Do I see the world as those with big golden halos and those without (myself of course with)? I found myself getting angry at those smug halo-d saints, because their sins put Jesus on the cross too! Then the Holy Spirit convicted me that I wear a halo far too much, just like those saints in that portrait. I judge myself as righteous simply because I keep the rules, and fail to see that my sins put Jesus on the cross. It is so easy right now to judge others, feel morally superior for the things I don't do, and be lackadaisical about the mercy of God. Oh no. My combined sins of pride and legalism rise up and smack me in the face again. I fear I will never beat these sins! Only through Jesus will I ever be able to do it.
I need to get out of the halo mentality and get into God's deep abiding love.
