A Work of Heart

By Doug Redford  

Someone described Leonardo da Vinci’s painting Mona Lisa as “the best known, the most visited, the most written about, the most sung about, and the most parodied work of art in the world.” It has been on permanent display at the Louvre in Paris since 1797 (albeit with intermittent interruptions). From December 1962 to March 1963, the French government loaned the painting to the United States to be displayed in New York City and Washington, D.C. In New York, an estimated 1.7 million people stood in line to glance at the Mona Lisa for a mere 20 seconds or so. 

This and other works of art—whether visual, musical, or written—illustrate how incredibly talented and creative human beings can be.  

Sadly, human beings can be creative in another area: the ability to hurt and destroy other human beings. Every day the news reports more instances of physical or mental cruelty carried out by humans upon humans. Scripture says, “All things are possible with God” (Mark 10:27), but it is also true all things are possible with humans—all things evil, wicked, disgusting, and deplorable. 

The prophet Jeremiah’s assessment of the human condition from more than 2,500 years ago is still accurate: “The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?” (Jeremiah 17:9, New Living Translation). Yes, the human race can be justifiably proud of many achievements, but there is also much to be ashamed of. 

After Jeremiah exposed humanity’s sad condition, he gave the only possible solution: “But I, God, search the heart and examine the mind. I get to the heart of the human. I get to the root of things. I treat them as they really are, not as they pretend to be” (Jeremiah 17:9-10, The Message). As creative and innovative as human beings can be, no degree of human ingenuity or level of education could address the problem of human sin.  

The cross of Jesus may not look like a work of art. It is in fact a “work of heart”; God’s heart of compassion provides a remedy for our sin so that he can create new hearts in those who turn to him in faith and obedience.  

In the same way, the emblems of the Lord’s Supper may not look like an expensive dinner, but they call our attention to what it cost to treat our heart disease. Only Jesus could provide that remedy. 

Doug Redford has served in the preaching ministry, as an editor of adult Sunday school curriculum, and as a Bible college professor. Now retired, he continues to write and speak as opportunities come. 

Author: Doug Redford

Doug Redford has served in the preaching ministry, as an editor of adult Sunday school curriculum, and as a Bible college professor. Now retired, he continues to write and speak as opportunities arise.