Rejected Stone Masterpiece

Pierce and I made a quick stop in Florence, where we beheld the stunning Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Giotto’s tower, and the landmark Baptistry.

The Duomo—an architectural marvel—inspired Michelangelo to call it “an angel’s work.” It would later serve as his model for the design of St. Peter’s dome.

St.Peter's Basilica Dome, The Vatican

Michelangelo, only 26 years old (!!), carved the towering 17-foot figure between 1501–1504 from a flawed piece of marble other artists rejected.

Then and now, his David is considered a miraculous achievement, celebrated for its exquisite composition and detailed anatomy—crafted without a human model.

It helps to know that Michelangelo was a devout Christian who sought to inspire and strengthen faith through his work. He also wrote spiritual poetry later in life, expressing deep devotion to Christ. Michelangelo’s art and personal piety reflected the period’s revival of holiness and devotion, aimed at renewing the Church and addressing the corruption that had sparked Luther’s Reformation.

David is widely regarded as the most recognizable of Michelangelo’s masterpieces—alongside the Pietà, the dome of St. Peter’s, and the Sistine Chapel ceiling. That’s saying something.

La Pietà, Michelangelo | St. Peter's Basilica, The Vatican

Sistine Chapel by Michelangelo, The Vatican

Sistine Chapel by Michelangelo, The Vatican

Exact replica of Michelangelo's David, Piazza della Signoria, Florence

It’s impossible not to reflect on how the real-life David was God’s unlikely choice to lead His wayward people—a boy marginalized by his father and brothers and later his own grievous sin, yet chosen and anointed, ultimately foreshadowing Jesus Himself...

“The stone that you builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.”(Psalm 118:22; Mark 12:10; Acts 4:11)

And in Mark, Jesus concludes:

“This is the Lord’s doing, and it is wonderful to see.”

Palazzo Vecchio, Piazza della Signoria, Florence

Wonderful indeed, to have a God who prizes and redeems criminals and castoffs...

“Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful.”(1 Corinthians 1:27, NLT)

PRAYER:

Thank you, Father. I know it was your Spirit that inspired Michelangelo to use a flawed, discarded stone to carve a universally recognized masterpiece—a tribute to flawed humanity and the promise of the only perfect human who ever lived. Give us eyes to see the masterpiece hidden in the flawed and rejected. Thank you, Lord, for your mercy and grace. Amen. I love you.💖