The Master’s Hand

Who were the Masters? And why are they important?

The “Master’s” were the artists who changed our world view by their brilliance and vision.

Leonardo Da Vinci is the first “Master” that comes to most of our minds. His paintings of the Mona Lisa and the Last Supper are two of the most important works of art to ever be created. With people traveling from all over the world to stand transfixed by the grace of the Mona Lisa’s smile, is it any wonder how he claimed the title of Master?

Michelangelo forever altered the way we think of architecture when he painted the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. His incredible mural of the Creation of Adam made him one of the most influential artists of his time and secured his place in history.

Raphael’s beautiful interpretation of the crucifixion of Jesus in his masterpiece, Mond Crucifixion, conveys a realism that is unmatched by his counterparts. It is this mastery over realism that makes his works some of the finest pieces to come out of Europe and earned him status as a Master.

These three men are considered the trinity of the Renaissance. High praise indeed! Their combined work represents the cultural movement of literature, science, and art that blossomed during this brief but glorious time.

Their hands crafted priceless works of art by delicately brushing canvas to perfection, expertly chiseling marble into fine sculpture and molding raw clay into lifelike form.

Even now, hundreds of years after they left this earth, we are still learning from the wisdom of these Masters. Their magnificence hangs on the walls of the best museums and cathedrals the world has to offer. We view each piece with awe and wonder how such greatness could be achieved. Through their critical thinking and creativity, they have transformed our society.

Yet, even with that level of greatness, they still have nothing on the true “Master”!

As Christians, it is the Holy Trinity of Masters that we look to for our wisdom and truth. Their creativity is beyond human comprehension.  Still, it draws us in and gives us the vision we so desperately yearn for.

God the Father laid the foundation of the world. When the earth was void and without form, He stretched out His hand and created the brilliant work of art we now call home.

I am He, I am the First,
I am also the Last.
Indeed My hand has laid the foundation of the earth,
And My right hand has stretched out the heavens;
When I call to them,
They stand up together.

                                Isaiah 48:12-13 NKJV

And His hand wasn’t finished… the Master craftsman molded us like clay into His likeness, making us a vessel for His kingdom.

But now, O Lord, You are our Father; We are the clay, and You our potter; And all we are the work of Your hand.

                                Isaiah 64:8

When sin entered the world, it separated us from the Father. His work of art cut off and unfinished, unable to hang on the gallery walls of eternity.

But through the nail-scarred hands of the Son, Jesus Christ, sin no longer holds us in its grasp. We are saved and complete, a work of art worthy of His righteousness. Because of Him, it is finished. And our place in heaven is secure.

and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed.

                               1 Peter 2:24 NIV

Even now, as we struggle in our daily existence, the hands of the Holy Spirit lead us. He is our source of truth and a gift from the Father to help us in our time of need.

It is through the Holy Spirit that the vision of the Master is revealed. His hand draws us to the Father and creates a blank canvas for the Master to paint a beautiful portrait of His design.

However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.

                               John 16:13

The Master’s Hand has done the impossible! He has chipped away the broken pieces of our lives and created a smooth sculpture. Turned our lumps of clay into beautiful pottery. And made a blank canvas into a masterpiece.

Inspiring Printabless from Master’s Hand Collection!

Every artist has a creative process. And because each one sees the world in a unique way, the process varies from artist to artist. The Old Masters, like those we just discussed, sketched their thoughts before putting paint to canvas. The sculptor, Rodin, made small clay models or plaster casts and then cut them up before taking his ideas to the marble. For me, it starts with one word of scripture and then a color appears.

There are as many variations on the process as there are artists, but creation always starts in the mind. That’s the place where inspiration is free to swirl around until it forms a tangible piece of art.

I’d like to share with you the inspiration behind God’s creative process, because like all artists He has one. And I think it might just surprise you. So, I hope you’ll check back and discover His unique way of seeing the world.

Continue the journey here…