Gospel in Art: Saying 'Lord, Lord' will not enter you in heaven

The Good Samaritan (after Delacroix), by Vincent Van Gogh, 1890 © Kröller-Müller Museum, Netherlands

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 5 December 2024
Matthew 7:21, 24-27

At that time: Jesus said to his disciples: 'Not everyone who says to me, "Lord, Lord", will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.

'Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.'

Reflection on the painting

Today's Gospel highlights the importance of listening, speaking, and doing. Jesus speaks of those who 'listen to these words of mine,' those who call out, 'Lord, Lord,' and those who act on his teachings. While listening and speaking are significant aspects of our faith, Jesus makes it clear that without action, they hold little value. Faith must be lived out in practice, not merely expressed in words or thought.

This passage concludes Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, underscoring the purpose of his teachings. His words are not meant to be simply admired or heard passively. Nor are they intended to inspire only verbal expressions of devotion, such as prayer or praise. Instead, they are a call to action, to embody his teachings in daily life. Jesus invites us to move beyond words and into deeds, living out the transformative message of the Sermon on the Mount.

A painting which shows faith in action, is Van Gogh's Good Samaritan. Following another serious breakdown in 1890, Vincent van Gogh turned to his canvas as a form of solace. He had a black and white engraving of The Good Samaritan by Eugène Delacroix. Van Gogh's approach was far from a mere imitation of that engraving. He reimagined the scene with his characteristic bold brushstrokes, vibrant colours, and raw emotion, transforming the black and white print into a vivid result. Vincent captures the essence of faith in action, portraying the Samaritan as he actively lifts the injured man onto his donkey, a moment brimming with physical effort and compassionate urgency.

In this painting, the injured man needed time and care to recover, a journey of healing that mirrors Van Gogh's own struggles to mend his fractured spirit. With The Good Samaritan, Van Gogh may also be alluding to his brother Theo, his steadfast supporter and personal Samaritan, who was always there to lift him up in his darkest moments.

LINKS

Gospel in Art: https://christian.art/
Today's Reflection: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/matthew-7-21-24-27-2024/