A guest on the “Antiques Roadshow” recently brought a letter from the 1950’s and a torn soiled piece of tissue displaying a lipstick smear. The appraiser was at first surprised and then confident in her estimate of between $2000 and $5000 for the two items. The letter was from a soldier who told of seeing Marilyn Monroe in a show in Japan and visiting her room back-stage. She had dropped the tissue on the floor after blotting her lipstick. The date, time, and place corresponded with Monroe’s performances for the military, and the letter was sent to the soldier’s parents. It was accepted as authentic, hence the appraisal.

The value in the tissue with a smear of lipstick lay in its “provenance,” the connection between an object and a famous or historic person or event, or as in this case, a virtual icon of America’s culture.

I have loved you, but you ask, “How have you loved us?” “Was not Esau Jacob’s brother?” declares the Lord. “Yet I have loved Jacob , but Esau I have hated. . .

(Malachi 1:2) In this passage the Lord makes clear the distinction between the unique place of Israel in His heart , and of Esau, who lives outside the covenant.

The principal of Godly provenance is in contrast to personal satisfaction. Those who have a close relationship (The Israelites, called “God’s People”) are of greater value to Him than those who never seek Him. The closer the relationship, the greater the loving attachment. (The Lord is My Shepherd ,Psalm 23)

It’s true that God seeks those who are lost, yet He rejoices over every soul who draws near to Him. In the New Testament, God spoke directly to James, John, and Peter , those who were closest to His son: This is my son. With him I am well pleased. Listen to him! (Matthew 17:5) When God looks at us He is looking for evidence of His son. The more He sees of Jesus in us, the closer He draws to us.

Marilyn Monroe’s lipstick is the closest anyone can ever come to that poor, famous, idolized woman. It makes a scrap of tissue with a smear on it worth thousands of dollars.

The love of Christ in our hearts is so close to God that He measures us as if we were His own children, beyond price and loved with an everlasting love. We have the provenance of Jesus.

Love in Him,

Prue