Make Your Life Count

The German nobleman Nicolaus Ludwig von Zinzendorf, born in Dresden in 1700, received the finest education of his time. Raised in a strong Christian home, he decided to follow Christ at the age of six.

For the several years, Count Zinzendorf thought he was fully committed until one day in May 1719. While visiting an art museum in Dusseldorf at age 19, Zinzendorf saw a painting by the Italian artist Domenico Feti titled Ecce Homo (Behold the Man).

This painting portrays Jesus after He was sentenced by Pilate. The Savior is wearing the crown of thorns, and His hands rest on a block etched with words in Latin: This have I done for you; now what will you do for Me?

Zinzendorf was stunned. Feeling immediate conviction, he made a radical commitment to fully follow Jesus. As a result, he went on to become an influential champion of evangelism. Feti’s painting now hangs in a gallery in Florence, Italy. Although it doesn’t dazzle people with its artistic brilliance or technique, its powerful message still is true.

In Feti’s masterful hands, Ecce Homo reminds us of all that Jesus suffered. How the Roman soldiers scourged Him and put a crown of thorns on His head. How they mocked Him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews! How Pilate found no guilt in Jesus, and declared, Behold the Man. And how the crowd cried out, Crucify Him! before Jesus was sent to the cross.

Today, remember all that Jesus did for you. Let the message of Feti’s painting speak to you. How will you respond? What will you do for Jesus?