“For the Son of man came to seek and to save the lost.” – Luke 19:10
There was a small auction in the town of Kinderhook, New York. One of the things purchased at this auction was a rugged painting that had been kept in a shed with other odds and ends. The painting was covered in dust and had bird droppings down the back of the canvas. The painting had been neglected and no one really knew much about it, other than it was old. The painting eventually sold for $600 at the auction.
The painting was purchased by Albert B. Roberts. Roberts had a strong hunch that the painting was far more than an old piece of art from a shed. He purchased the painting and began the work of having it studied by experts, although Albert Roberts is an expert, as well. Eventually, Albert’s hunch was confirmed. The dusty, neglected portrait was an early work from the famed painter Anthony van Dyck. The work was a likeness of Saint Jerome. Saint Jerome is one of the most significant early church teachers and helped to create the Latin translation of the Bible, known as the Vulgate.
Albert Roberts was excited to find this lost piece of art. Anthony van Dyck was born in Antwerp. It is a mystery how a painting from the early 1600s made its way to New York, but it is an exciting find. The painting will now be auctioned and is estimated to sell at $3 million.
This is not Albert Robert’s first amazing discovery. In fact, he has made a hobby of locating what he describes as “orphaned art.” Albert Roberts has found, collected, and restored over fifty works of art. Reclaiming “orphaned art” has been Robert’s passion for over 30 years. He has reclaimed, and given the world a gift of beauty and history, lost and forgotten for a very long time.
Like this beautiful piece of art, depicting Saint Jerome, God’s children are often lost, neglected, and forgotten. Even more than Albert Roberts, God, through Christ, works to reclaim and restore each of us. Jesus makes it clear, “For the Son of man came to seek and to save the lost.” (Luke 19:10) God’s love is constantly at work to give us new life. This is the great hope we have as a people of faith. When we are lost, God looks for us. When we are found, God works to restore us. Today, I am thankful that we are no longer orphans; we are children of God.
“I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.” – John 14:18
– Rev. Keith King, Pastor of Worship
