WHAT DID JESUS LOOK LIKE AND SHOULD WE DISPLAY IT?

What did Jesus look like? The above, 1940 painting, has been copied and printed millions of times, put on postcards and greeting cards. Many churches even have this image, or one similar to it, hanging in their facilities.  But is this a true representation of what Jesus looked like and should we be displaying it?  

The Bible doesn't give us a specific, physical description of what Jesus actually looked like. Throughout history various depictions have emerged seemingly of what the artist of the time envisioned Jesus to look like. We have a Caucasian Jesus, African Jesus, Oriental Jesus and more.   

Did Jesus have long or short hair, a beard, a mustache? Was he tall or short?

Of course, the most popular renderings of Jesus has him with long hair, a beard, and a mustache. Such an image became popular in art work in the fourth and fifth centuries and beyond.

Most of the images we see today are probably inaccurate. Jesus was a Jew, so He likely had a somewhat darker skin such as Middle Eastern cultures had. This is a far cry from the European/Caucasian Jesus we see in modern art.   Below are some of the earliest known images depicting Jesus in the ancient world.   

This is perhaps the earliest known depiction of Jesus. Found in the catacombs of Rome. It dates to around 190-220 A.D. and shows Jesus healing the bleeding woman, as recorded in Mark 5:24-34. He is seen with short hair and no beard, as well wearing as a Roman toga. Of course it is very doubtful that Jesus ever wore a Roman toga but this is the artist rendering of Jesus, like a Roman. It does show Jesus with no beard and short hair.

This fresco is  another very early depiction of Jesus. It portrays the story of Jesus healing a paralyzed man. It was found in a Syrian City and has been called the "Dura Europos". This image dates to about 230 A.D. and was found on the wall of a one of the earliest known church buildings. It may not be the clearest image but it shows short, curly hair and no beard or mustache. He is also wearing a tunic and sandals. 

Later in the 4th Century we have this image found at a cemetery of one of Emperor Constantine's villas. This is perhaps the first known image depicting Jesus in the traditional form we are accustomed to seeing today. Long hair, beard and mustache.

This beautiful mosaic was found in Britain and dates to the 4th Century also. It has the Greek "Chi" & "Rho", the first two letters of Christ, often used to refer to Jesus. This image has Jesus depicted as a clean shaven Roman in a toga with short hair.  

What Jesus looked like does not matter. If it was deemed important, one or more of the New Testament writers would have provided a physical description.

The New Testament does provide several non-physical descriptions of Jesus that are to capture our imaginations and excite our spirits. He is the light of the world (John 1:5); the bread of life (John 6:32-33); the living water (John 4:14) our High Priest (Hebrews 2:17); the good shepherd (John 10:11,14); the spotless lamb of God (Revelation 13:8); the author and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2); the way, the truth and the life (John 14:6); and the very image of God (Colossians 1:15) and the list could go on. Such a Savior is more precious and beautiful to us than any piece of art hanging on a wall.

What about the length of Jesus hair? The traditional image, as seen at the top of this article, is likely inaccurate. Being a Middle Eastern male in the 1st Century A.D. it was the tradition or culturally acceptable practice than men had shorter hair than women. We read in 1 Corinthains 11:14, "Does not nature itself teach you that if a man wears long hair it is a disgrace for him."  (ESV)  

Another, and perhaps more important question arises; should we display any artwork depicting Jesus?

Since we really do not know what Jesus physically looked like and that the traditional artwork commonly accepted is probably wrong, I would contend that we shouldn't display them. When someone who enters our facilities sees such an image, it is safe to assume that they consider this is what we believe Jesus looked like. If in fact, since it is not what Jesus looked like, are we not lying or promoting a deception?

Also, consider the second commandment, "You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.  You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God,..." (Exodus 20:4-5)  ESV  

For church members to become upset about removing artwork, wrongly depicting Jesus, may show forth a spirit flirting with idolatry. God gave us the second commandment knowing how easily we are at wanting to have some image before us to depict Him. Could it be that false artwork depicting Jesus is a modern day "golden calf"? This can become a very hotly contested issue when we consider how much artwork there is depicting so many ideas of His appearance.   Stained-glass artwork, illustrations in various Christian literature, and the lists go on. The same could also be said about artwork of the apostles or other Biblical characters. It may be one thing to see illustrations in literature conveying conceived images of Jesus but when artwork is permanently displayed it takes on a whole new aura as an icon that is not to be tampered with.   

If you were to ask children attending our churches to describe or draw what Jesus looked like, what do you suppose their pictures would display?  Most likely it will resemble the artwork we have traditionally been hanging in our homes and in our church facilities. Do we really want to perpetuate misleading and misinforming our children about Jesus? When they find out later that the image we displayed is inaccurate, could they not wonder what other areas we have misled them regarding God, Jesus or other spiritual matters?  Should we not strive to remove such potential stumbling blocks from view?

Our focus should not be on what Jesus looked like but on what He did, Who He is and what He instructs us to do. There is enough there for us to focus on rather than getting bent out of shape over an inaccurate image.    

  

WHAT DOES A DEVOTED FOLLOWER OF JESUS LOOK LIKE?

"And they devoted themselves to the apostles teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers."  -Acts 2:42 (ESV)

From the earliest days of the church it was evident that followers of Jesus Christ were devoted to the things of the Lord.    From the New Testament what might we glean as the focus of our devotion to the Lord.

A Devoted Follower of Jesus is...

1)  Devoted to SEEKING GOD regularly through His Word & through worship with others in His Church.

2)  Devoted to SERVE GOD with the blessed gifts and resources He has to help His church & our neighbors.

3)  Devoted to SHARE ONE'S FAITH story with others & the meaningful way God has impacted one's life through the Gospel.

This Three-Part Ministry Plan of SEEK, SERVE, & SHARE must be an integral part of the life of the Lord's church.   Church Leaders must design measurable methods and strategies whereby an honest appraisal can be done to see that progress is being made in these vital areas.   If any program, event, or other ministry does not promote one or more of these three elements then the life and vitality of a congregation may be lacking focus on the true mission of the church.

CATCH PHRASE #1

Perhaps you have heard the saying, 

“Where the Scriptures speak we speak, and where the Scriptures are silent we are silent.”  

This thought sounds good on the surface but is it practical or viable to put into practice? Our non-instrumental brethren would tell us that because musical instruments are not specifically mentioned in the Scriptures we should not use such resources in worship.  Yet, the Scriptures also do not mention church buildings, church buses, Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, a communion table, communion trays, offering plates, and the list could go on. With this reasoning, we should not have church buildings since they are not mentioned in the New Testament. In truth there were no church buildings until at least the 3^rd century A.D. The earliest known Christian Church building (a remodeled cave) dates to about 230 A.D. and was found in northern Jordan. If you study the world of the Roman Empire it makes sense that there were no church buildings in the first two-three centuries. Christianity was technically an illegal religion in the Roman Empire and there were many persecution periods towards Christians from various Roman rulers.   Buildings dedicated as a church building began to emerge in earnest and multiply during the 4^th Century A.D. after the rise of Constantine when Christianity became tolerated and later became the state religion of the Roman/Byzantine Empire.

Some time ago, while on vacation I attended a church that does not believe in the use of musical instruments in worship. Though different than what I’ve been accustomed to I experienced a fine time of worship. However, I did notice that the song leader used a pitch pipe to start each song with the right note. Is not the pitch pipe a musical instrument? In addition, I also noticed they had a piano in their fellowship hall. Oh, but that was not the “sanctuary” or “worship hall”. So am I to assume that piano is used only for worldly or secular music? If they sing hymns or other Christian songs with the piano in the fellowship hall are they not worshiping? In truth, before we judge our non-instrumental brethren too harshly let us acknowledge that we probably have some double-standards of our own that have yet to be reconciled.

“Where the Scriptures speak we speak, and where the Scriptures are silent we are silent.”  

Be careful with such phrases that you do not take them as “gospel”. Where the Scriptures are silent we are at liberty to use or do certain things, as long as it is God-honoring and helping to fulfill the mission of the Lord’s Church. Be careful not to criticize someone or a congregation by saying what they do or use is not in the Scriptures, before we take a hard look in the mirror.  

“Judge not, that you be not judged. 2 For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. 3 Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.      -Matthew 7:1-5 (ESV)

A PROFOUND MYSTERY!

                   
It never ceases to amaze me how God's Word is alive and active.   Sometimes it seems a verse just leaps from the page for me to ponder.   Such was the case recently while one of the men of the church was reading from Ephesians 5 for a communion meditation.   The passage was...

"Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish."  
                                               -Ephesians 5:25-27

I never realized before that this passage refers to baptism.  I guess I've always focused on the husband/wife & church/Jesus relationship it mentions but it never clicked until now that baptism is what makes this relationship possible.  

"...the washing of water with the word..." precedes the church being referred to as "without spot" and "without blemish".   It is at the point of baptism that this occurs for each one that seeks to be part of the Lord's church.   "the word" has a role to play as it is through the proclamation of the word that one first comes to an understanding of faith.  As it states in Romans 10:17, "So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ."  

Even though Ephesians 5 speaks of the relationship between wives and husbands this is not the main focus or point of the passage.   As verse 32 states, "This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church."  Without the "washing of water" we miss the profound nature of being part of the Lord's church and miss out on being "without spot" or "without blemish" in God's eyes.

For years when reading this passage I focused on the husband/wife relationship (which is something to seriously consider) but all the time missed the main point of focus of the text being about Christ and His Church.    Thank you Lord, for illuminating me with this profound mystery.

The Origin & Development of Our Modern Christmas

                         
In the early part of the 4^th Century A.D. the Emperor Constantine established Christianity as the state religion or the Roman Empire and the persecution of Christians came to an end.  From that point forward Christianity increasingly gained political influence and its hierarchy was formed in a pattern much like that of the political system of the Roman Empire.  Regarding the celebration of Christmas as a holiday it was not observed by followers of Christ for the better part of two hundred years after the time Jesus lived on earth.  In the writings of some of the early church fathers in the first three centuries of the existence of the church they did not want this sacred occasion put on a par with pagan carnivals.  One church official, Origen, especially declared against such a practice, asserting that it was sinful to keep Christ’s birthday “as though He were a King Pharaoh.”  Many church leaders denounced the intermingling of pagan with Christian elements in the celebration of Christmas.  Church leaders warned against excessive indulgence of feasting, dancing, and dressing in grotesque costumes.

Although in the early centuries of the Christian era the exact date of the nativity was not known, by the third century some had been observing the event on these varying dates:  January 6, February 2, March 25, April 19, May 20 and November 17.  (During this period of time there were five different calendar systems of reckoning time.)  At the request of St. Cyril of Jerusalem, Julius I (Bishop of Rome from 337 – 352 A.D.) made an investigation into the matter of the date.  In 350 A.D., December 25 was set as the most probable time.  The Feast of the Nativity was first observed on this day at Rome, perhaps in 353 A.D.; and from then on the custom spread throughout the empire. About a century later near 440 A.D. the Bishop at Jerusalem also accepted this ruling, as did most of the other Christians, except the Armenians, who still observe Christmas on January 6.  Although many authorities did not agree then and many still do not agree today that December 25 was the correct date—the world will no doubt continue to celebrate on this date.

It is interesting to note that different sources have suggested reasons why the early Church officials selected this date.  Many of the Roman soldiers were adherents to Mithraism, a religion that for a time was a strong rival to Christianity in the empire.  Its most important feast day, (Birth of the Unconquered Sun), occurred on December 25.  The Church authorities may have set the date of Christ’s birth to correspond to celebrations already in practice through earlier pagan beliefs.  Perhaps they thought it wise to give a sacred meaning to pagan observances, rather than antagonize new converts by doing away completely with old customs.

But attempts to combine pagan and Christian events led to difficulties and the pollution of the church by pagan practices.  When the Church found it impossible through repeated bans to abolish all the pagan customs, it “Christianized” them and incorporated them into the Christian observance of Christmas.  This explains the use of greenery (like trees), candles and other lights for decorating the home.  In the Roman world the Saturnalia (December 17) was a time of merry-makinig and the exchange of gifts.  December 25 was also regarded as the birth date of the Persian mystery god Mithras also known as the “Sun of Righteousness”.  On the Roman New Year (January 1) houses were decorated with greenery and lights.   Gifts were also given to children and the poor.  Although at first Christians were expected to observe Christmas as a religious holiday exclusively, gradually secular, even pagan elements, such as those listed above and practiced today, were added.

So, the question for us today is:  Will we celebrate Christmas as Christians or as Pagans?  If Christ is left out of Christmas then it is simply a pagan festival.  Nowhere in the New Testament does it instruct us to celebrate the birth of Jesus as some special holiday observance.  The same could be said of Easter too (another term from pagan history).  The only observances we are instructed to do are worship on the Lord’s Day, baptism and communion. 

So was the observance of the birth of Christ as some special holiday to be remembered each year spawned from the nativity in Bethlehem or from the politicized Church of the 4^th Century A.D. combating Pagan religious celebrations and striving to “Christianize” them?   Something to think about for this Christmas season.  In a real sense every day for the Christian is a celebration of the Incarnation and Resurrection of Jesus Christ.   Don’t limit your praise and celebration to just one day a year.

THE DREAM (by Michele Jones)

This week is different, I'm posting a story that Michele wrote as a result of a dream she had.  I think you may find it very interesting.

The Dream

In my dream, my friends and I were excited to visit a new worship center. We arrived early and stepped eagerly from our cars mesmerized by the grandeur of the place, sprawled out before us on pristine manicured lawns and gardens. We stood in awe of the marbled tones of the building with towering and ornately carved columns supporting the portico. Here, valet parking was not the exception, but the rule. A massive sea of people brushed against us. Busily they came and went being ushered through the great hall entrance and tiled corridors. Everyone's faces smiled and glowed with delight. They too were mesmerized by such regal surroundings and with each other. Polished leather laced up tightly and tailored, buttoned vests made the men appear stylishly handsome. Ladies of all sizes were adorned in large plumed hats and silk dresses. Everyone beamed from ear to ear with anticipation. Curiously, there were no children. 

Surprisingly, my friends and I passed with great ease through the maze of people and found our way to seats in the main worship center.  I was pleased to find a multicultural center with its stage already teaming with singers and prayer warriors while others formed circles to dance together in the aisles. Ladies in white robes chanted and sang in a different dialect, which concerned me at first. As I listened closer, I became excited because they were not merely rambling strange sounds but they actually sang in Hebrew, the mother of all languages.

Men in Victorian coattails raised gloved hands high in the air as they stood on the multi-level steps of the platform to offer prayers to those in need. Huge, colorful banners of silk and linen lined the walls. Monitors of many different shapes and sizes were strategically placed throughout the entire facility so that no one would miss any happenings on center stage.

My eyes darted from one side of the room to the other trying to absorb all of the activity and scenery of the massive sanctuary. My attention soon turned to polished serving trays being passed from one row to the next that carried a communion of delicate wafers and crystal stemware filled with wine. Many in the room took the remembrance, as some sat with heads bowed and others humbly knelt on the floor in front of their seat. I became frustrated, because in that moment a pause should have been taken and reflection been giving on what and why this ceremony, yet most of the room refused to cease its noise and distractions. Those of us who wanted to pray were interrupted by relentless chaos. People did not stop their singing, shouting and lively conversations.  People still moved all around the room even though ample seating was provided.  As I studied closer, different areas of the room began to illuminate and I saw that around the perimeter there were grand buffet tables each with a designated white-gloved butler ready to serve the patrons from silver pans steaming with hot food. The room buzzed loudly with jumbled conversations, while silver tongs clinked against fine porcelain china. People laughed and talked while having their plates piled high, again and again. Still I observed there were no children.

I waited for the corporate worship where the body in one voice sings out praises.  I waited for the sermon to commence to encourage the believer and bring the sinner to repentance, yet neither happened. Everyone was busy doing their own thing in their own way. The activities of singing, dancing in the aisles, loud conversations and continuous eating became overwhelming. Then everything ended rather abruptly with ushers who flashed wide smiles across their faces and pointed to the left. The crowd moved in the same direction as we were all ushered out of the area through the side doors to exit the campus via the gift shop.

Like a grand bazaar, there were booths, tables and polished glass display cases. Trinkets sparkled in the cases casting prisms of colors around the room. Fabrics in varying styles and materials draped mannequins and clothing racks. Gold clocks were displayed on ornately carved boxes near the four chairs lined ready and quietly waited for anyone who wanted to have their hair done. As we pushed our way through this new chaos, I soon found myself alone in my attempts to escape the madness. Sadly my companions were being absorbed by the trappings of the bazaar and were soon transformed into shop owners peddling their wares.

Though the dream was vivid and quite strange, it disturbed me enough to try to put it all down on paper. I am sure my words hardly do the dream justice, but there are images that have disturbed me.

 Is this what is to become of our churches today? Are we meeting for a grand celebration of ourselves and what we have built? Have we become so engrossed in the huge facilities and ultra-modern conveniences that we have lost sight as to why we are there? Are we the white washed tombs Jesus referred to? Do we come with our white gloves and plumed hats in celebration of ourselves? Are we at this place of worship because that is where all of our friends are or have we come to this place of worship because the Truth is being taught and lived out and where souls are being saved?

In my dream communion was served and observed by some, but not all. Many people were too busy in the “act” of worship making sure they were noticed for their chants and dances. That saddened my heart.  The time of communion should be precious and sweet as we observe what Christ did for us on the cross. In reality there are those today that would rather whisper or scroll though screens on their phones or other electronic devices rather than take the time to acknowledge Christ for who He is and what He has done for all of us that we might have forgiveness and restoration to the Father by His sacrifice. We all fall prey to our enemy’s attack of distractions. I want to be focused and my thoughts purposed so that my heart and mind are in true worship of Him and His sacrifice. Worship is never about me; it’s all about Him.

I am sure that would be a sight to see if we showed up for worship and found buffet tables all around filled with our favorite delicacies.  Worship is not about satisfying our physical state. We come to feed on the pure Word of the Lord and drink of His living waters so that our spirits will be refreshed and strengthened for the battles we must face. We come to hear words both of conviction and encouragement. We come to honor and celebrate our Heavenly Father and rejoice over those being saved.

I visited a group once that had a small café at the entrance of their meeting place. Everyone was welcomed to have some coffee or a pastry and take a few moments to visit with each other. I liked the idea, especially if I were running late and missed my breakfast. I also liked the idea that a stranger might feel more at ease talking over a latte. I was saddened later when during the worship service I noticed a man singing praises only to stop to take another sip of his creamed coffee before he continued the song.  Have we really become that casual with God? What about reverence?

Where is the true worship when we are more concerned about our espresso than singing out our praises? 

The gift shop was an interesting feature in the dream. I like shops, especially the ones off the beaten path where wonderful treasures await discovery. But would we really turn our worship center into a marketplace? In the Bible we can read where the Jews did and it made Christ so angry he turned over their tables and chased the merchants away. Are we the merchants trying to “sell our wares,” our beliefs that may be contrary to what is valuable and important? Do we come to worship with a shopper’s mentality picking out only certain aspects that make us happy and leaving out others because they are too inconvenient or convicting? The enemy will always try to dazzle us with sparkling trinkets to take our focus away from the One of true value and worth. Christ is the treasure that we seek.

I suppose the strangest element of the dream was the corporate worship setting without children. It made me think of our own children who are the voice for the next generation in the world. They will be the ones to carry the banner of Christ to the lost and dying in sin. Isn’t worship both personal and together as a family? We should hold them close and let them see and experience our worship of God.

 My prayer is that we will show them what true worship is really all about whether we are gathered together in a corporate setting or in the privacy of our homes.  When we rise up and when we lie down and all the time in between may we be teaching our children the love of Christ and how to truly worship Him in reverence and humility and also with joyful celebration.

WHERE DO YOU WORSHIP?

A common question typically asked is "Where do you go to church?"   The response is usually a certain location or name of a congregation along with directions or an address.   One does not "go to church" as we may be so quick to think. Why? Because, as believers we are the church. We go to worship.

Unfortunately, our cultural frame of thinking does not necessarily align fully with the Scriptures.  Could it be that our western culture, customs and traditions in the Lord's church about worship have limited us from enjoying the fullness of worship as God intended?  Have we put worship in a nice and neat box of our own design rather than joining the Lord in the full purpose and enrichment of worship as He ordained?    

Perhaps our thinking in this regard arises from the Old Testament and the purpose and place of the temple of the Lord.

"One thing I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple."  -Psalm 27:4 (ESV)

Though He did not desire a temple to be built God did allow it.  It seems man wants to copy things of the world around him.  The other nations had a king so they wanted one.  The other nations had temples for their gods so they wanted one of those too.  Even in Jesus' day He confronted the human limitations of the place of worship.  In John 4 Jesus encounterd the Samaritan woman at the well and the issue of the place of worship arises.  Jesus responded that it is not the place that is so important.

"But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him.  God is spirit and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth."     
-John 4:23-25(ESV)

Are we so different today?   Have we been guilty of making the place of worship more important than the spirit of worship?  Have we replaced the physical temple with our physical congregational facilities?  It sounds like it at times.  Many even refer to the room where corporate worship takes place as the "sanctuary", which sounds like that it is the only place one can worship or find God.  Such limited thinking about worship robs us of the full purpose and benefit of worship as God envisions for us.  Consider the following:

"Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you?  If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him.  For God's temple is holy, and you are that temple."  
-1 Corinthians 3:16 (ESV)

"Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God?  You are not your own, for you were bought with a price.  So glorify God in your body."  
-1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (ESV)

If we are truly the temple of the Lord then where do we worship?   Wherever we are and the Lord is!   I can worship at home, in the fields, in the car or even in the elevator. I don't have to wait until Sunday morning at a designated time to worship.  Worship can be done anywhere and anytime.   

We are encouraged to worship together with others of like precious faith.  The corporate gathering of God's people to worship is well and good for all to participate in.   It is a great blessing to worship with others, to hear the Word of God proclaimed and partake of communion together. 

By holding to the understanding that worship must be at a certain time and certain place then we have robbed ourselves of what worship is truly all about.  So... why not make where you are right now a place of worship?  Everything we do is to be done to the honor and glory of God. That makes everything we do an act of worship.  How's your worship today?