In the Sanctuary of Mercy church, in Borja, Spain, a fresco of Jesus entitled Ecce Homo (Behold the Man) has been revered since the Spanish artist, Elías García Martínez, painted it in 1930. While not an artistic landmark or overly valuable, this fresco holds a treasured place within the village and area. Still, everyone could see that the fresco was deteriorating due to the impact of moisture and age.
Motivated to help, in 2012, 81-year-old Cecilia Giménez decided it was time for a restoration of the fresco. And so, armed with her own artistic views and no training, Ms. Giménez set to work. Unfortunately, she failed to realize the great gulf between her skill and the task. Her “restoration” took the fresco in a very different direction. Contemplating the botched restoration attempt, one journalist described the end result as a “crayon sketch of a very hairy monkey in an ill-fitting tunic.”
Restoration is no simple task. It requires vision, ability, and capacity to truly restore something whether in art, construction, or other domains. Considering how complex such work is with the inanimate world, how much greater is the complexity of restoring damaged interpersonal relationships, deep inner wounds, or the dealings between peoples and nations.
Isaiah the prophet tells us the Messiah of God will be One who restores.
It is too small a thing for you to be my servant
to restore the tribes of Jacob
and bring back those of Israel I have kept.
I will also make you a light for the Gentiles,
that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth. (Isaiah 49:6)
This Messianic figure, Isaiah says, will have the vision, ability, and capacity to do what seems impossible. For Israel in Isaiah’s prophecy, it was to bring the lost tribes back from exile to dwell in the land and shine God’s light to the nations. For those who encounter Jesus today, it is restoration of damaged relationship with God, healing of deep inner wounds, and the empowerment to bring the light of Christ to others. Jesus said it this way: “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” Jesus the Messiah is One who restores, and His restoration work is of divine quality.
For reflection:
Each Sunday we include discussion questions on the sermon insert that can be used for deeper reflection and/or small group discussions. Take time to read through those questions today. You can find a digital version online at eastbrook.org/WhoIsHe.
by Pastor Matt Erickson
Week 4 Family Talk
Once upon a time there was a shepherd who had a flock of sheep. The shepherd would take the sheep into the fields to graze. They munched on sweet grass, drank from clear streams and rested on quiet, shady hills. Munch, slurp, snore—life was good in the protective presence of the Shepherd.
Then one day, the shepherd noticed a sheep was missing. Only 99 were in his flock. Where had the one sheep gone? He began searching right away because he knew there were dangers in the hills – sharp cliffs a little sheep could fall down and ravenous wolves and bears that would like to eat a lamb for lunch.
The Shepherd’s search took him far and wide. He looked over hills and in caves for his lost sheep. After many days, he heard plaintive bleating and hurried to a pit. He looked down to find his stuck sheep covered in slimy mud. He lovingly wrapped his arms around it and carried it back to the flock.
This is a retelling of a parable Jesus told, and it reminds me of the verses from Isaiah 9 about the One who Restores. Restore means “to bring back,” and Isaiah 49 describes the Messiah as a servant who will bring back the people of Israel to God. And, the servant will be a light to the nations to bring salvation to all people.
You see, like the sheep in Jesus’ parable, all people have strayed away from him. The Bible tells us that ever since Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden, we’ve sinned and been separated from God. Jesus is our Messiah who came to bring us back to a close relationship with God where we love and trust Him.
Let’s Talk!
- Why did the Shepherd go find the missing sheep?
- Have you ever felt far away from God?
- How did Jesus bring us back to God?
by Colleen Mittag
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