Repenting from our sins, trading in our self-centered habits for habits of self-giving, is necessary if we want our friendship with God to grow.
But it is also necessary for the rest of our lives to grow.
Every sin, every thorn of selfishness that we leave festering in our hearts, stunts our growth not only as Christians, but also as human beings.
Leonardo Da Vinci learned this lesson while he was painting his famous "Last Supper" in Milan.
- While he was working on the painting, he had a bitter argument with another painter, an enemy who he had long despised.
- To vent his anger at this other artist, Da Vinci used the artist's face as a model for the face of Judas Iscariot, the Apostle who betrayed the Lord.
- Leonardo felt a sense of evil satisfaction in coming up with a humiliation that all his peers would recognize, and that would last though the centuries.
As he worked on the faces of the other Apostles, he often tried to paint the face of Jesus, but couldn't make any progress.
- He advanced steadily in painting all the figures, except that of Jesus, the most important one. He became more and more frustrated and confused.
- In time he realized what was wrong. His hatred for the other painter was holding him back from finishing the face of Jesus; it kept him from being able to see Jesus clearly.
- Only after making peace with his fellow painter and repainting the face of Judas was he able to paint the face of Jesus and complete his masterpiece.
We are not made for sin and selfishness. Repentance frees us to see Christ and to become all that he created us to be.
[Story adapted from Hot Illustrations, Copyright 2001 Youth Specialties]