The man who could not be hidden

Church bulletin:

Branwell Bronte cuts a tragic figure. Within the space of months his three sisters had published books destined to become classics – Charlotte (Jane Eyre), Emily (Wuthering Heights), Anne (Agnes grey). Branwell however, could not find his way in life. His desire to become a portrait painter never took off. He published poems but received little recognition or renumeration. He ran up debts that he could not repay. He passed through numerous jobs and was eventually dismissed from a tutoring position under a cloud of scandal. Apparently, he had an affair with his employer’s wife. Struggling to make a living he turned to alcohol and drugs.

The only remaining picture painted by Branwell hangs in the National Portrait Gallery in London. Almost certainly, its presence is due to the subject matter rather than his talent. It is a composition of his three sisters. The finished article however is not what he had intended. Branwell initially included himself but then painted over his image with a pillar. The pillar has since faded leaving the outline of his head and shoulders clearly visible. It is unknown why he decided to do this – did he not like the representation of himself; did he prefer his sisters on their own. We will never know, but unwittingly his actions proved to be somewhat prophetic.

Branwell will forever be known as the unsuccessful brother of three women who have achieved cult status as authors. What he sought to do with brushstrokes, erasing his image, depicts how his life played out. He died at the age of 31 in obscurity, an alcoholic and addicted to opium. He remains a shadow seen only through the fame of Charlotte, Emily, and Anne.

Perhaps there is a spiritual lesson in the painting made by Branwell Bronte. For whatever reason, he wanted to make himself disappear. Despite his efforts, the undefined and faceless Branwell peers through the faded pillar. He could not finally remove himself. Further still, his memory endures through letters, journals, books, movies, and documentaries. We do not know exactly what he looked like, but we know how he lived and died. The painting we are making of our own lives does not allow us to brushstroke over what we don’t like or want to keep private. People go to extraordinary lengths to cover over their sins and failures, but what is done is done. We cannot make the ugly bits go away. There is a warning in scripture, just as the image of Branwell eventually reappeared, sin will not be hidden forever. Num 32:23, “take note, you have sinned against the LORD; and be sure your sin will find you out.” Moses did not mean – if you sin everyone will find out (that may be true). But rather, in the end you reap what you sow. God keeps a record and on that great and awesome day He will make all things known and deal with us accordingly.  Ecc 12:14, “For God will bring every work into judgment, Including every secret thing, Whether good or evil.”

Adam attempted to hide his sin and his offspring have been doing the same ever since. We cannot do it and the good news is we don’t have to. God does it for us. The blood of Christ has greater effect than Branwell’s paint. Isaiah 43:25, I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake; And I will not remember your sins.” It is foolish trying to hide what cannot be hidden – making excuses, justifying ourselves, telling lies, removing evidence, comparing ourselves to others, making promises to try harder. Let us rather lay bare our filthiness before the Lord in confession. Let us trust in the sufficient, cleansing, stain-removing blood of the Lamb. When our guilt is dealt with by Christ it does not come back to haunt us.

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