The Unveiling Of A Masterpiece Series

Some time ago I was reading about the 18th century German sculptor Johann Heinrich von Dannecker. His skills were so impressive it was said he could bring stone to life. At the height of his powers he decided to shape a statue of Christ that would stand out as a witness to his world. For two years he chiseled and scraped and polished the marble, till he was certain that it carried the likeness of his Lord. But he wanted to test his work on eyes that wouldn’t lie. So he went out to the street, and brought in a young girl. He took her into his studio, and he set her down in front of the shrouded stone. Uncovering it, he asked her, Do you know who this is? No, sir! she replied. But he must be a very great man. Dannecker knew that he’d failed. The statue was good enough for kings and nobles, but it wasn’t good enough to speak the word about Christ.

He was discouraged. He was disheartened. He was depressed. But he had to try again. So he set his hand to the task. Six years it took him this time! Every day, painstakingly, shaping and carving. This time was different. It was as if, he later said, Christ had joined him daily in his little room. He felt the nearness of his Lord. He sensed the glory of his Presence.

Finally it was done. And again, he brought in a child as his first critic. He took off the shroud, and asked her gently, Who is that? Legend has it that tears came to her eyes as she whispered that’s Jesus! Dannecker had created his masterpiece.

For the next few weeks, you and I will read and study the masterpiece of the Book of the Revelation. But I plead with you—don’t get so caught up in the symbols and prophecies that you fail to see Jesus! This is why this book was written. This is how you will be blessed from reading it—when you see Jesus revealed in all of His glory.