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.    

  

COMING TO TERMS: "Trinity"

The term “Trinity” is popularly used to describe the three-fold nature of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.    Would you be surprised to learn that the term "Trinity" is nowhere to be found in the Scriptures?  Yes, it's true!  A term used so widely to explain the nature and character of God is not even used in the Scriptures.

But how are we to understand the three-fold nature of God?  Are we to think of Him as three or as one?   

Let me illustrate how we can understand God as being three-in-one.  I am a son, a father and a husband.  Does that mean I'm three different people?  Of course not!  It simply describes three natures or characteristics of myself regarding different relationships.   To my parents I act as a son showing respect and honoring them.   To my children I act as a father loving them as my own.  To my wife I strive to be an adoring and loving husband.   The relationship I have with each of these are entirely different.  Many conversations I may have with each of these can be very different also.  I have three different relationships but I'm only one person.

God also has three different relationships with us.   God the Father reminds us of His power, majesty and Holiness.   As God the Son (Jesus) He came in person to be like us to relate to us in person.  He became God in the flesh (John 1:14).  As God the Holy Spirit we have His presence within us to guide us into all truth and encourage us in our Christian life.

Is there any event recorded in the Scriptures that shows all three aspects of God's nature at the same time?  Yes!

16 And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; 17 and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”                                   -Matthew 3:16-17 (ESV)

God the Father created all things and created man to have a relationship with.  

God the Son (God in the flesh) came to personally experience life as we do.  He redeems us from our sins as the perfect, unblemished, and sinless sacrifice on our behalf so we may be restored in our relationship with God.

God the Holy Spirit lives within those who have accepted His love and the sacrifice of the Jesus Christ.  He is our spiritual conscious and guide to help us understand the Scriptures and life as God envisioned.

OUR GOD IS AN AWESOME GOD!

  

Common Sense, What's That?

                   

¹⁴ Justice is turned back, and righteousness stands far away; for truth has stumbled in the public squares, and uprightness cannot enter. ¹⁵ Truth is lacking, and he who departs from evil makes himself a prey. The Lord saw it, and it displeased him that there was no justice. 

-Isaiah 59:14-15 (ESV)

There used to be an admirable quality known as “common sense”. However, I have come to realize that common sense is no longer common. What used to be God-honoring, conscious guide of morality and acceptable thinking is now “uncommon”. If you think our world does not make sense it is because our world has forsaken common sense. Yet this is not new. In Isaiah’s day (8^th Century B.C.), it is evident that he didn’t see much common sense in his own culture either. Though I’m not usually fan of the New Living Translation (more of a loose paraphrase in my estimation) I do like the way it depicts this passage when considering our modern times:

¹⁴ Our courts oppose the righteous, and justice is nowhere to be found. Truth stumbles in the streets, and honesty has been outlawed. ¹⁵ Yes, truth is gone, and anyone who renounces evil is attacked. The Lord looked and was displeased to find there was no justice.

 -Isaiah 59:14-15 (NLT)

In a country where it is acceptable to provide a prayer room for Islamic students in a public school while not allowing Christian students to pray; where is fairness in so-called freedom of religion?

When, as a nation, we are appalled at the murder of millions of Jews and others by the Nazi’s in WWII we then turn and legalize the murder of millions of our own through legalized abortion even up to the time of birth, where is justice?

When so-called “political correctness” trumps (pun intended) truth and honesty, how is one to find out what reality is? Oh, that’s right, just “Google” it! We now live in a time and have a younger generation that is accustomed to instant access to information without having to do any earnest research on their part to determine its veracity and accuracy. It is scary when people assume or believe whatever they “Google” or find on “Wikipedia” to be true and real without so much as even checking other sources.

  The same is true for information being disseminated about God and spiritual truth. It seems that many will be quick to first check “Google” or “Wikipedia” for answers to spiritual concerns before considering the Scriptures, which are also available at their fingertips. How many attending places of worship hear something and are quick to check these sites to see if what was said is true or not. My friends, I am not against technology, in fact I’m using a PC to write this article, but don’t rely on “Google” or “Wikipedia” as a primary source for spiritual truths and principles for holy living. Take the time to nobly search for the truth. 

As it says in Acts 17:11, according to the Modern Corrupt Version, …they received the word with all eagerness, checking Google to see if these things were so.  Well, I certainly hope you don’t go looking for a copy of that version of the Bible, yet in practice, it seems that many have found it. Let’s look at what Acts 17:11 says in a more accurate version such as the ESV (English Standard Version): …they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. 

Don’t take whatever you find on the Internet as gospel or truth. You need to search, examine and check it out to see if what it says is true. Anyone can make a website and say whatever they want. Don’t assume because they have a www. address it means they are conveying truth. Yes, the Internet is indeed providing information at a swifter rate than mankind can keep up with; but information does not equal truth. Much false information is going forth and spiritual forces are arrayed against godly people who desire to pursue holiness and they are being attacked through the Internet and other online communities. Indeed, truth has stumbled in the public squares. These days the “public squares” are as much online through social media sites, such as Facebook, as they are out in our real communities among our neighbors, in the work place and the Lord’s church. 

Despite all the woes of our modern age, take heart! God is still God and He is still in control! The word of the Lord spoken to the people of Isaiah’s day some 2800 years ago still rings out in timely fashion for today. Its relevance has not diminished.

Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food.  Incline your ear, and come to me; hear, that your soul may live; and I will make with you an everlasting covenant. 

                                                                                                            -Isaiah 55:2b-3 (ESV)