Graffiti, the Church, and the Resurrection of Jesus Christ

A pastor in Spain commissioned a couple graffiti artists to paint the church where he served.  Folks were scandalized by the idea.  After all, their art was associated with criminal activity.

           

The pastor didn’t think it a problem and took the idea a step further.  He invested in the artists.  He insisted they learn about the history of art in the church and encouraged them to visit a museum in Barcelona.  The artists complied.

As a result, that church’s dome hosts a beautiful portrait of Jesus and His people – painted by two graffiti artists.  The graffiti artists’ portrait is so well done it is being celebrated all over the world.  One article describes it in saying, “The result is a spectacular splash of color…on the rounded ceiling dominating the main sanctuary. But don’t think street art.  In fact, the style of the painting is faithfully Romanesque…”

I see the fingerprints of Jesus and Easter all over that story.  Two artists that many would write off as criminals were invited into God’s house.  The church loved them and invested in them.  As a result, their art is glorifying God around the world.  How many of our lives might be compared to that art?  Criminal art gets invited to church and is changed into God glorifying art.

This Easter, take time to see the masterpiece that Jesus is creating in and through His church.  His resurrection is at work in the world and we are His masterpieces.  He is taking criminals and making them into "Michelangelos."  Praise the Lord for His love of graffiti like you and me and the hope that He can make us a masterpiece for His glory.