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| clearest photo I found of mosaic |
In Vatican City, there are many beautiful pieces of art dating back centuries, and at St. Peter’s Basilica one can see a stunning work by Monosilio called the Altar of Transfiguration. From a distance, it looks like the painted masterpiece of Raphael's 'deathbed' painting, but up close one can see the thousands of glass pieces that form this mosaic copy. It took a team of six artists nine years to execute the mosaic, and they finished in 1767- 200 years before I was born! Imagine, nine years to create this masterpiece!
It would be fascinating to see this work of art because it looks so much more like a painting than a mosaic. From a distance, all the pieces blend together so well, they form one dramatic picture. I imagine that’s what the church, the 'called out ones' should be like. We are thousands, hopefully billions in total yet when we are in unity of love and faith in Jesus Christ, then we shouldn’t be seen as choppy pieces all disorganized and messy, but piece after piece blending seamlessly into one another; each piece distinctly unique, but together making one complete picture- perhaps that of the bride of Christ, for "...He is the Head of the body, the church, who is the Beginning, the First-born from the dead..." (Col. 1:18)
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| original Raphael painting |
Amazing things can be done when people are in unity, both for good and bad. When the people of Babylon got together in unity to build the tower to their gods, progress was going great until Jehovah confounded their languages to disperse them (Gen. 11:7,8) before they got into worse trouble. On the positive side of unity, the disciples of Jesus were in one accord (unity) in the upper room, and the power of the Holy Spirit fell on them.
And the whole earth was of one language and of one speech. ... And Jehovah said, Behold! The people is one and they all have one language. And this they begin to do. And now nothing which they have imagined to do will be restrained from them. Gen. 11:1,6
And in the fulfilling of the day of Pentecost, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly a sound came out of the heaven as borne along by the rushing of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And tongues as of fire appeared to them, being distributed; and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled of the Holy Spirit, and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them utterance. Ac. 1-4
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| close up you just start to see the pieces |
There are many great Scriptures about being one in unity. Unity doesn't mean we totally agree with each other in all matters or actions, but our basic actions based on the Word are loving, in one direction for the purpose and glory of God first, not considering personal benefit of the individual.
In this way, we become a dramatic picture of the Bride of Christ arrayed in fine linen and waiting for the Bridegroom. And though we are many, yet we are seen as one blended and seamless masterpiece not done by man, but made by the Father's hands.
Here are some more scriptures on unity:
endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Eph. 4:3
that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You... Jh. 17:21
For as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body; so also is Christ. 1Cor. 12:12
Oh Lord, help us to all be one as You and the Father are one...