Did You Know Vincent van Gogh Was Once a Preacher? Faith, Scripture, and Art Collide
Did you know this about van Gogh?
Before Vincent van Gogh became the painter we know today, there was a pulpit in front of him. He began preaching at 23-years-old. In fact, one of his earliest known sermons reveals a side of van Gogh many people never hear about: a man wrestling with life, suffering, hope, and the presence of God.
Here is one of his first-year sermons:
The world is not our true home. We are only passing through it. However, we are not walking alone. God is with us every step of the way.
Life is a long journey that stretches from earth to Heaven. It begins with birth, which is a moment of pain. But there is also a joy that is deeper than words can express. A mother forgets her sorrow when she holds her newborn child in her arms.
When a soul enters the world, Heaven rejoices. And then there is the end, what we call death. For many it is a moment filled with sorrow and uncertainty. But for those who belong to Jesus, it is not the end. It is the doorway to hope.
In John 11:25, Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.” And in Revelation 14:13, we are given this comfort: “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord… that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them.”
There is joy when a life is born into this world. But there is even greater joy when a soul enters Heaven.
Life here can be full of sorrow. Yet for those who believe in Jesus, no suffering is wasted. Sorrow deepens the heart in ways joy never could (Ecclesiastes 7:2-3). In Christ, no grief is final. No darkness lasts forever. There is always light ahead—always hope, always new life.
We do not grieve like those without hope. Faith turns sorrow into joy.
We are pilgrims, walking a road that leads home. It begins in our mother’s arms and ends in our Heavenly Father’s embrace.
Everything in this world changes. Nothing here lasts forever (Hebrews 13:14).
Even we ourselves change. We are not who we once were, and we will not remain who we are today.
We grow—first as children, then as teenagers, then as adults, and eventually into old age. The face that once carried the freshness of morning slowly bears the lines of wisdom and sorrow. Hair turns gray or fades away altogether. Bodies grow weaker. So let our later days draw us closer to God. Let them be richer in meaning than the days behind us.
But while we are here, we have a race to run and a fight to fight (2 Timonthy 4:7).
Our calling is to love the Lord our god with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength—and to love our neighbor as ourselves (Luke 10:27).
Philippians 4:13 says, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” God gives us strength for every step, help for every hour, and grace to finish well.
Let us pray: Open our eyes to see the wonders in Your Word. Teach us to follow Your will. Transform our hearts with Your love. On the road from earth to heaven, Lord, guide us by Your mighty hand. We are weak, but You are strong. Hold us fast with Your mighty hand. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
Source: Vincent van Gogh sermon on October 29, 1876, at the Wesleyan Methodist Church in Richmond, London: “I Am a Stranger on the Earth”
Here are some of his biblical paintings:
Even more interesting than the direct and obvious nods to Christian, biblical references is what appears to be subtle, potential hints of scriptural scenes in other painted works of his such as Café Terrace at Night 1888.
