This is a very simple, yet very complicated picture. Simple in that is just a twig and a drop of water. Complicated in that the drop of water reflects an entire galaxy (in this case the M31 galaxy).
This reminds me of the style of teaching that Jesus often did. He would take simple things that virtually everyone would see, like birds, a crop in the field, or weeds in a cash crop and liken a spiritual teaching or life application to them.
In the case of the picture, a little drop of water shows an entire galaxy. How marvelous is that? But, even though this seems extra-ordinary, it is not. Sometimes we as human beings will take a small concept and see a huge one within it; sometimes the reverse. Consider this passage from the Gospel of Luke…
Luke 10 ( World English Bible )
25 Behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested him, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”
26 He said to him, “What is written in the law? How do you read it?”
27 He answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.”
28 He said to him, “You have answered correctly. Do this, and you will live.”
29 But he, desiring to justify himself, asked Jesus, “Who is my neighbor?”
30 Jesus answered, “A certain man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who both stripped him and beat him, and departed, leaving him half dead.
31 By chance a certain priest was going down that way. When he saw him, he passed by on the other side.
32 In the same way a Levite also, when he came to the place, and saw him, passed by on the other side.
33 But a certain Samaritan, as he traveled, came where he was. When he saw him, he was moved with compassion,
34 came to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. He set him on his own animal, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.
35 On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, and gave them to the host, and said to him, ‘Take care of him. Whatever you spend beyond that, I will repay you when I return.’
36 Now which of these three do you think seemed to be a neighbor to him who fell among the robbers?”
37 He said, “He who showed mercy on him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”
The lawyer in the above passage, was seeking eternal life; this was good. Even better, he asked Jesus what to do to inherit eternal life. The lawyer’s response showed much insight into true spirituality, but Jesus perceived that he was lacking the practical application of his own answer. Therefore, Jesus told him what a “good Samaritan” would do in order to love your neighbor.
Since Jews hated Samaritans, this was a very pointed rebuke of the Jews, for they of all people should have known to do good to all men, regardless of what they believed.
For me, I have found it quite easy to think in spiritual terms, for understanding the perfection that is the essence of the almighty has always amazed and interested me. Like that Lawyer, I find it much more difficult to put religious concepts into the practicality that we experience in everyday life.
Just as that little drop of water reflects the immensity of a great galaxy, so does how we treat our fellow man reflect the genuineness of our religion.
The words, “Go and do likewise.” take on a little more meaning now, don’t they? Listen to Jesus, just do it.
ps. This means you too, Gary!