My friend's powerful image reflects the deep love of the Good Shepherd

A visual tribute to the Good Shepherd, who provides, protects, and pursues the lost.

The Bible is rich with imagery of God and Jesus as a shepherd — faithfully watching over His people with love and devotion.

He provides for us, protects us, guides us, and ultimately lays down His life for us.

One of my favorite passages is the Parable of the Lost Sheep (Luke 15:3-7), where the shepherd leaves the 99 to search for the one who is lost. It’s a striking reminder that Jesus never abandons us. No matter how far we stray, He seeks us out, because each of us matters deeply to Him.

That’s why I was so moved this week when my friend Mike Reynolds shared with me the above image, which he had created.

Mike chose this image for the cover of the bulletin at the memorial service for his brother, Larry Reynolds — a beautiful tribute to God’s never-ending love and care.

Mike created this image by transforming a photo he took of a stunning statue at the Vatican, using Photoshop to bring his own artistic vision to life.

In a way, he crafted new art from a masterpiece that has stood for nearly 125 years.

The original statue, enclosed in glass and displayed in the Vatican Museums, is part of the Catholic Church’s vast collection of art and historical treasures. The Jesus figure stands about 12 inches tall, made of gold with a beautiful, slightly reddish tone.

Here’s a look at the statue that inspired Mike’s work.

Behind the statue, a window lets in natural light, revealing trees in the background — a serene setting for such a meaningful piece.

Mike and his wife, Diana, who attend Good Shepherd Anglican Church with us in Cornelius, N.C., discovered the statue during their 50th wedding anniversary trip to Europe last September.

While exploring the Vatican Museums, they came across this sculpture, and Mike captured it at just the right moment — with the sun setting behind it. Later, he skillfully used software to enhance the shadows, creating the stunning image above.

The statue, titled “The Good Shepherd,” was sculpted by Austrian artist Rudolf Marschall (1873–1967), who was inspired by John 10:11 — “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”

Marschall, renowned for his portrait busts and religious works, was commissioned by Emperor Franz Joseph I of Austria to create this piece as a gift to Pope Leo XIII for his triple jubilee — celebrating 50 years as a priest, 25 years as a bishop, and 25 years as pope in 1902–1903. Pope Leo XIII passed away in July 1903, shortly after the celebration.

A 1903 review in “The International Studio” magazine praised the statue, saying:

“The figure of the Saviour, with the long simple robe, shows manly dignity and power. The hands and feet are beautiful in form and execution, and in the whole there is something very inspiring. At the Saviour's feet are a ram, three sheep and a lamb. There is such simplicity, such an absence of anything like banality, that all our thought and attention are concentrated on the chief figure — on the Saviour.”

Marschall crafted a masterpiece that draws our hearts and minds to Jesus and His care for us — and through his own creative vision, Mike has done the same, bringing new life to this powerful image.