Da Vinci’s Painting of the Last Supper
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Da Vinci's painting of the Last Supper illustrates the power of sin to defile souls and the power of Jesus' blood to cleanse sin.

The following is reported as a true story: When Leonardo Da Vinci painted his picture of the Last Supper, he began by searching for a model for the face of Jesus. Finally he found a young man with a pure and noble face suitable for Jesus.

More than ten years later, the last face he needed was Judas: a face with the curse of sin, suitable for a traitor. Finally, he found a man in the most disreputable part of the city, but the man vigorously refused. When Da Vinci asked why, the man said, “Twelve years ago, I sat herin this very room. You copied my face on that wall to represent the face of Jesus, and now you want it to represent the face of Judas.” *

A few years of living in sin can change a person from the likeness of Jesus to that of Judas. This may not always be true in physical appearance, but it is definitely true spiritually.

Each Person Is Born Pure and Sinless.
Many denominations teach that we inherit the sin of Adam so we are born sinners. But like the face of Da Vinci’s model, all of us at first are born pure and clean in the sight of God.

Ezekiel 18:20 – “The son shall not bear the guilt of the father, nor the father bear the guilt of the son.” So, we do not inherit guilt from Adam or other ancestors.

Matthew 18:3 – Jesus said we must be converted and become like little children in order to enter the kingdom of heaven. So little children are innocent and pure just like those who are converted and enter God’s kingdom.

(Matthew 19:14; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Psalm 106:37,38)

Sin Defiles a Person’s Character and Soul.
Just as sin changed the face of Da Vinci’s model from one that was pure enough to represent Jesus and turned it into a face evil enough to represent Judas, so sin defiles our soul in the sight of God. Consider some descriptions of people in sin.

Isaiah 1:6 – “From the sole of the foot even to the head, there is no soundness in it, but wounds and bruises and putrefying sores; they have not been closed or bound up ….” Imagine the most disgusting cancer or leprosy or gangrene you can think of. That is how God sees our souls in sin.

Psalm 38:3-6 – “There is no soundness in my flesh because of Your anger, nor any health in my bones because of my sin. … like a heavy burden they are too heavy for me. My wounds are foul and festering because of my foolishness. I am troubled, I am bowed down greatly; I go mourning all the day long.”

Like sin changed the appearance of Da Vinci’s model, so sin makes our soul corrupt and defiled before God.

Jesus Can Cleanse the Most Defiled Soul.
Isaiah 1:18 – The Lord says, “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool.”

Hebrews 7:25 – Jesus is able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him.

1 Timothy 1:15,16 – Paul considered himself the chief of sinners because he had persecuted the church. But Jesus showed mercy to Paul as an example for others who seek eternal life.

Paul was the opposite of Da Vinci’s model. Although the young man at first was pure and innocent, a few years of sin made him corrupt and defiled. On the other hand in his early years, Paul was evil, even persecuting Christians. But after his conversion, he was saved to the uttermost.

You and I have a choice. If we allow sin to fester in our lives, we become corrupt and abominable in the sight of God. But if we trust God enough to seek forgiveness according to the gospel, we can be forgiven of our sins and be pure and upright. Which one do you choose?

(Psalm 32:1-5; 51:1-14)

* Thomson, Short Talks Around the Lord’s Table, page 33,34

(c) Copyright David E. Pratte, 2025; gospelway.com

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April 25 - April 30 – Bible Study Questions – Psalms 89
(No assignments for April 18-23.)
Please read Psalm 89 and answer the following questions.
1. Read Psalm 89 and summarize its theme.
2.What praise did the psalmist express – 89:1,2? List other passages about God’s mercy.
3. Special Assignment: What covenant did God make with David – 89:3,4? List other passages about the covenant. How did it relate to Jesus (Luke 1:31-33; Acts 2:29-36)?
4. How is God’s praise described in 89:5-7?
5. How is God’s power described in 89:8-10? (Think: to whom does Rahab refer?)
6. Where does God’s control extend – 89:11-13? (Think: What are Hermon and Tabor?)
7. How important are righteousness, justice, mercy, and truth – 89:14?
8. How are God’s people blessed according to 89:15-18?
9. What had God done for David according to 89:19-21?
10. What did God promise regarding David’s enemies – 89:22,23?
11. How is God’s relationship to David described in 89:24-27?
Video discussion available Thursday, May 1 at https://biblestudylessons.substack.com
The complete assignments on all the Psalms are now available at
https://www.amazon.com/Bible-S....tudy-Questions-Book-
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Bible Study Lessons | David E. Pratte | Substack

Free Bible study lessons, courses, workbooks, commentaries, videos, and sermons that present the true gospel of Jesus Christ. Click to read Bible Study Lessons, by David E. Pratte, a Substack publication with thousands of subscribers.

Glorious Things Are Spoken of You, O City of God!
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What was the significance of Jerusalem and why was it important in the Old Testament? How does Old Testament Jerusalem symbolize the New Testament church, and what can we learn about the church as spiritual Jerusalem? What lessons can we learn from the Psalms about suffering and hardships?

Video Bible study at https://biblestudylessons.subs....tack.com/p/glorious-

Bible study presented by David E. Pratte. Learn Jesus' teaching at https://gospelway.com #biblestudy #videobiblestudy #christianity

NEW CLASS BOOK ON THE BOOK OF PSALMS
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We have now published our Bible study class book on the book of Psalms. We now have workbooks on most Old Testament books and all New Testament books.

Our Bible Question Class Books are suitable for classes, family study, or personal study for teens and up. They contain minimal human commentary but consist entirely of questions that challenge students to personally search the Scriptures. All are written by David E. Pratte.

Please visit our web site to learn more:
www.gospelway.com/sales/books

April 11 - April 16 – Bible Study Questions – Psalms 87,88
Please read Psalms 87,88 and answer the following questions.
1. Read Psalm 87 and summarize its theme.
2.How is Zion praised in 87:1-3. (Think: To what does Zion refer?)
3. Explain what people considered to be an honor according to 87:4-7. (Think: To what does Rahab refer?)
4. Application: List New Testament verses where Jerusalem or Israel refers to the church. How might this Psalm apply to the church? How is one born into the church?
5. Read Psalm 88 and summarize its theme. How did the psalmist describe his troubles in 88:1-5?
6. What did he say God had done to him according to 88:6,7?
7. What effect did this have on his relationship with others – 88:8,9?
8. What reason does he give in 88:10-12 why he thought God should preserve him?
9. What effect did he think his prayers had made – 88:13-15?
10. What did he conclude about his problems in 88:16-18?
11. Application: What lessons should we learn from this psalm?
Video discussion available Thursday at https://biblestudylessons.substack.com
#biblestudy #videobiblestudy #christianity

biblestudylessons.substack.com

Bible Study Lessons | David E. Pratte | Substack

Free Bible study lessons, courses, workbooks, commentaries, videos, and sermons that present the true gospel of Jesus Christ. Click to read Bible Study Lessons, by David E. Pratte, a Substack publication with thousands of subscribers.