Emphasis Preaching Journal

Before he was famous, Michelangelo was a student of sculpture, and an unbeliever. He was not a Christian. He was not a painter. But in 1498 a fiery friar and preacher named Savonarola wa hanged, and his martyrdom brought Michelangelo to faith in Jesus Christ. He made Christ crucified the theme of his work. He became famous. A jealous rival convinced the pope that he should make Michelangelo paint the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. Logically enough, the jealous artist thought that a spectacular failure would ruin Michelangelo, who was a sculptor, and not a painter.