As an artist, I have been asked to paint portraits, sometimes of one who has passed as a remembrance for the family. I studied with an exceptional art teacher, who trained in the ateliers and museums of Europe, to learn the exacting practice of portraiture. It is the greatest test for an artist to portray a convincing likeness, especially of a beloved person. Imagine being commissioned to paint a portrait of royalty, or a prime minister! The pressure to produce a perfect likeness while communicating the warm, human presence of the sitter is daunting.

What would a portrait of love look like? For Christians, Jesus is the very likeness of love. As we are called to love like Jesus, what would our life portraits look like? The apostle John paints two pictures of rebellion and love for us:

1 John 3:11-15 – For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another, not as Cain who was of the wicked one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his works were evil and his brother's righteous. Do not marvel, my brethren, if the world hates you. We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death. Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. (NKJV)

Cain's portrait is of one who failed to love. Apparently, his pride, disobedience, and lack of faith led to God's rejection of his grain offering, and undoubtedly, he became angry, jealous, and hateful. He ignored God's warning and committed the ultimate crime of murdering his brother, Abel. Cain's attempt to hide his sin was ridiculous. Most of us would never contemplate a crime like this. Yet, the inner sins of jealousy, gossip, slander, ignoring, and just wishing another to die are just as grievous as the sin of murder, and harbouring such sin is to invite the bitterness of death. It shows that eternal life is not living within.

Jesus' portrait is one of love. I have seen many portraits of Jesus in churches and art museums, but do they show what He is like? His likeness would be of self-sacrifice, the willingness to lay down one's life for someone else, if called to do so. It would be a daily sacrifice, not just of things but of our time, energy, schedule, routine, and checklist, in order to minister to another. It would mean putting down the cellphone to serve — even those who are unloving and harmful — to show them the love of Jesus.

We love in action and in truth. Love without action is an illusion, and action without love is a lie. Only God's love and strength can enable us to resemble the portrait of Jesus. Truth and action in the lives of Christians is world-changing, as it is meant to be. Do you believe that the Bible is truth? Do you show the love of Jesus to others, and are you abiding in Him? If so, then you resemble Him in this life.

Prayer: Thank You, dear Lord, for Your love and sacrifice. You have shown us who we are to resemble, as Your followers. Give us the strength each day to show Your love to others, and to continue abiding in You. Amen.

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About the author:

Shirley Moulton <shirley_moulton@yahoo.ca>
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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