A couple of hundred years ago a certain Austrian painter was commissioned to paint a picture of the crucifixion. He had composed the scene and had selected and painted all the models. Only one white space was still open on his canvas. It was kept for Mary Magdalene. She was a prostitute who had been forgiven by Jesus and had become one of His devoted followers. The painter just could not find the right model. Walking through Vienna one day, he was struck by the features of a Gypsy woman (a semi-nomadic, rather despised people group of South-eastern Europe). That was his “missing person!” She agreed to sit for him as a model and he took her to the studio where the painting was waiting to be completed.
The woman looked intently at the painting and said “That man on the cross must have been a horrible criminal to deserve a punishment like this”. “No”, replied the painter, “on the contrary. He was a very good man indeed!” “But why then did the people kill him?” the Gypsy inquired. The painter explained: “He actually died for the sins that we have committed”. “For yours as well?” the girl asked after a thoughtful silence. “Yes”, replied the artist truthfully. “Then you must love him very much indeed”, concluded the ignorant Gypsy.
These words struck home, for up to that point he had been a Christian by name only. He knew the stories about Jesus, but never personally accepted or applied the deeper meaning of this message to himself. At that moment the veil fell from his eyes. He recognised what Jesus had done for him personally, and was overcome by love for Him. So this incident became the turning point in his life. The Bible calls such a happening conversion, which means change – a change of heart.
You will have to take time to think seriously about this message – and to ponder over it in your heart. You know that your decision has eternal implications. The Bible urges us to make the right choice:
“This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life” (Deuteronomy 30:19).
The ultimate questions are: “To whom do we entrust ourselves? To whose voice do we listen? Which is the witness to the Truth that God has provided for us? And is that witness really trustworthy?”
I pray that you may be blessed with the full realisation of God and His plan and will for your life, and may you have the determination to choose what is true and right!
Yours sincerely
THEOPHILUS
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