MATTHEW 5:44 - 45 "But now I tell you: love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may become the children of your Father in heaven."
MARTYRDOM - It's good to behold but difficult to do. It's bitter and painful. Our human nature would always urge us to fight back.
There are only two ways that our rational mind could respond to these trying situations: fight and flee. And our arrogant, self - indulgent ego would always insist on fighting back. Fleeing would imply weakness and defeat. Who would want to lose a battle?
Every one of us wants to win. Everybody wants to be a hero. Every body wants to be great. But the greatness in human eyes is vile in the eyes of God. Remember, many martyrs become saints.
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| Jean de Beaumetz, Jean Malouel and Henri Bellechose, working in Dijon, were successively the official artists of the DDukes of Burgundy, Philippe le Hardi and Jean sans Peur. Characteristic of their work is the combination of refined draughtsmanship with fresh, brilliant colours heightened by gilding, in an attempt to express deep emotion. It has been suggested that this painting was begun by Jean Malouel and completed by Bellechose. |
