A Living Stone

This artwork is found in a 6th century church in Ravenna, Italy, the Basilica of San Vitale. The scene depicts the famous Old Testament narrative where Isaac is challenged to sacrifice his son at God’s request.  Isaac is of course saved by the hand of God, who then provides a ram in the wood to serve in Isaac’s stead.  (Genesis 22)  This is a foreshadowing of God’s love for us in the sending of Jesus, the lamb of God, to rescue us. 
This story is among the most meaningful events in scripture. But it's the form of storytelling that I find so interesting here.  It is a remarkable example of mosaic art.  The practice of painstakingly placing hundreds, even thousands of small pieces in just the right spot.  Each individual piece, perhaps unremarkable in isolation, serves a grander picture.  Having been manipulated by the hands of the artist, the individual becomes an essential part of something previously unrealized.  Something bigger, something beautiful.  Something intentional and moving.  
The bible describes each of us as an individual piece.  A living stone.  A living stone in the hands of the Master Artist.  1 Pe 2:5–6 “you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, 5 you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
I’ve had my share of accolades and awards I suppose, but I often wonder about my value in the big picture of God’s Kingdom.  Like the individual stone in a mosaic, I feel as if I am quite plain.  Unremarkable.  One proverbial grain on an endless beach and the kingdom wouldn’t notice my absence.  

But as I zoom out in my own self reflection, I begin to see my contribution to a larger whole.  I begin to understand myself as part of something beautiful.  That God has chosen me for a unique role, one that no one else can fill.  And in even the largest mosaic’s, one missing stone is easy to notice.  Recently, I was crossing a high mountain stream, with layers of river rock underneath the shallow water.  One rock in particular caught my eye.  Brilliantly colored, it  stood out from among the rest.  This is how we look at rocks, looking past the ordinary in favor of the exceptional.  God sees them all as worthy of attention, after all… he made them!   The world may see me as plain, but In His sight, I am precious. You are too.  

We are in the hands of the Great Artist, and He is building something beautiful.  Our gaze is not upon ourselves, rather we rejoice in the singular mosaic he has designed.  As we settle into this spiritual house that he’s created, we begin to see that the beauty of his mosaic is only a dim reflection of a more beautiful artist.  There is something about His creation that leads us ultimately to the worship of the Creator himself.  May we never neglect the worship of our Father who has chosen us (all of us!) to be an integral and essential part of his Kingdom building on earth.  

On mission together for His glory! 
Pastor Chris

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