Leonardo Da Vinci was perhaps the greatest artist of the period in history known as the Renaissance. He was born in Italy where he spent most of his life. When he was an old man, the King of France invited him to live in his country as his honored guest. Leonardo accepted the Kings gracious offer, and with three paintings, a few belongings, and one apprentice, left for his new home. The king gave him living quarters in a castle not far from Paris. King Francis l did not require much work of his renown guest. Once Leonardo staged a great reception with lots of artwork in honor of a royal family member, but for the most part, his last years were quiet ones. Towards the end of Leonardos life King Francis made it a habit to pay the painter visits. The King of France enjoyed talking with Da Vinci like a friend on many subjects.

A legend has it, that one day King Francis came to visit his friend and discovered Leonardo was dying. Leonardo had laid in bed unable to move all day, but to honor his royal guest he tried to sit up. The King looked with pity on the struggling Leonardo, and then sat down on the side of the bed. He put his arm tenderly around Leonardo to support him. While the King held him, Leonardo confessed to wasting much of his life and his talent. Then he died in the arms of the King.

This story may be a legend, but it is based on the fact that the King of France was fond of the great painter and paid him frequent visits.

Like Leonardo, we too, will have to pass out of this scene. the. We may not die in the arms of a King of a great country, but each one of us, by Gods grace, can enter with joy into the presence of the great King of the Universe. Who is the King of the Universe? He is the Lord Jesus Christ, the King of kings and the Lord of lords. On the cross he shed his precious blood and opened up the way for sinners to find forgiveness. Everyone forgiven of their sins will find a home and special place of nearness to the Lord Jesus Christ.

King Francis might have been a ruler over millions of people and able to command armies to do his will, but he was just as powerless as the poorest beggar in his kingdom when it came to forgiving sins committed against God. Forgiveness can be obtained only through the Lord Jesus. The Bible says of all those who believe in him, In whom we have redemption through his blood even the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.