"Christ in the House of Simon" c1440, by Dieric the Elder Bouts.
The story behind the painting: Luke 7:36-50.
Lesson: I am infinitely less than a layer of pond scum as compared to the holiness of my heavenly Father. Pride is exceedingly foolish and an insult to his glory.
Jonathan Edwards: "Gracious affections are also like those of Mary Magdalene, who also pours precious ointment on Christ, out of an alabaster broken box, anointing therewith the feet of Jesus, when she had washed them with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head. All gracious affections that are a sweet odor to Christ, and that fill the soul of a Christian with a heavenly sweetness and fragrancey, are broken hearted affections. A truly Christian love, either to God or men, is a humble broken hearted love. The desires of the saints, however earnest, are humble desires. Their hope is a humble hope; and their joy, even when it is unspeakable, and full of glory, is a humble broken hearted joy, and leaves the Christian more poor in spirit; and more like a little child, and more disposed to a universal lowliness of behavior."
This section of Edwards' treatise was a challenging one to my soul. It seems that the more I learn, the more I realize what little I know. The more I begin to understand of God's holiness, and how infinitely far from that holiness I am, the more I realize how "altogether contemptible and odious" I am.
In Edwards' sixth gracious affection, he lays before us a very humiliating (humbling) proposition:
"Gracious affections are attended with evangelical humiliation. Evangelical humiliation is a sense that a Christian has of his own utter insufficiency, despicableness, and odiousness, with an answerable frame of heart."
When you are allowed the slightest pulling back of the veil, you realize that, as compared to the holy and beautiful Creator, you are completely and totally depraved. As the jolting light of God's holiness, and the attending of his indwelling Spirit allow you just the slightest of understandings, then, just as sinners before God's holy white throne, you are completely broken with your transgressions before a holy God.
Once again, Edwards lays bare the souls of those who would dare to profess any greatness in their faith. With the sword of God's word, he cuts to shreds the proud and haughty.
To any son of God, who deeply desires our Father's favor, this understanding will leave you weeping in shame, and desparatly seeking God's forgiveness.
I can do no more, or furthermore, say anything to add to Edwards' brilliant filleting of our prideful nature. If fact, I am going to end this post and challenge you to read and understand his pointing's to the words of Christ.
Here is a link to this section of his treatise. Take a couple hours, get alone, pour over this brilliantly inspired man's words as he shows you the heart of the true Christian.
This will be a difficult read for many, but take it slow, read it out loud, and make yourself understand.
I would really love to hear your comments when finished.
