Genesis 11:4 “And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.”

Psalm 8:3-5 “When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.”

John 10:7-10 “Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief cometh not, but for the steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”

The Basilica of Saint-Denis was completed in 1144 AD in northern Paris. It is a magnificent structure, likely revealing the earliest architecture attributed to the gothic style. Though an amazing building conceived in the minds of man and crafted by human hands, the words inscribed on the door are fitting and informative:

“Whoever thou art, if thou sleekest to extol the glory of these doors,

Marvel not at the gold and expense but at the craftsmanship of the work.

Bright is the noble work but, being nobly bright, the work

Should brighten the minds, so that they may travel, through the true lights,

To the True Light where Christ is the true door.

In what manner it be inherent in this world the golden door defines:

The dull mind rises to truth through that which is material

And, in seeing this light, is resurrected from its former submersion.”

Often, Man has his attention captured by the wonderous creations of his fellow man. We seek to create and build ourselves up to heaven as a pathway for self-glory and self-serving unity. We always fall short.

As the craftsman rightfully registered in the Twelfth Century in Paris, man’s creations should always extend our wonder beyond the craftsman to the Creator; from temporal illumination to the True Light; from the material to the Master; and from submersion to the Sublime!

PLEASE PRAY FOR AMERICAN CHRISTIANS TO GUARD GOD’S GLORY BY NEVER MARVELING IN THE TEMPORAL CREATION OF MAN. Whenever we are distracted by the creation, let us determine to recognize Christ and the Creator. In this way, our minds will rise to the truth!

ADMIN: The reference for the inscription on the door came from “God & Churchill” by Jonathan Sandys and Wallace Henley.