Does this change your view of the 'Jesus' you have in your imagination? How does forensically trying to reconstruct what Jesus really looked affect your faith? Likewise, how do the white, European images of Jesus help or hurt your faith?
Sunday, March 10, 2013
The Face of Jesus
Popular Mechanics posted an article about Richard Neave (a medical artist retired from The University of Manchester in England & co-author of "Making Faces: Using Forensic And Archaeological Evidence"). He used three Galilean Semites' skulls from the time of Jesus and reconstructed what Jesus may have looked like using 3D imaging. He came up with this portrait of what Jesus may have looked like:
Over the years I have seen many pictures of Jesus. All are pretty much reflections of the needs and perspective of the artist. Many have little to do with an historical Jesus. However for devotional purposes, they may not need to.
ReplyDeleteFor me the the picture would have to be at that moment when Jesus stopped to look at me. I would in an instant feel him seeing through me and knowing me -good and bad. He would have kind and knowing eyes, the merest beginning of a smile and his head tilted slightly to one side. It would be a "boy do I know what you have been up to" fatherly sort of bemused look.
Today's picture is a factual picture posed to be neutral and to me lacks the emotional content that I would expect. However, at any one time a person may present you with a look you don't expect because of what they are thinking, not what you want them to think. I'll let you know how that goes next time I see Him. Doug
Doug;
DeleteWe can compare notes. Jesus is such a gift for each of us to behold.
ronaldo
Seeing Jesus
ReplyDeleteI’ve never seen Jesus, dah,
but some have
in dreams or visions.
I’ve seen pictures
that show him as German
or Norwegian
or Italian
which seems comforting in an odd way
but of course, is not right.
I know that.
Someday I will see him.
I don’t know why
but I believe that I will recognize him.
Call it pride or hope
or something else all together
but I think I will know him.
Maybe it will be the words.
Maybe the peace.
Or
maybe when we look into each other’s eyes
I will see the love that has called me
since I was a child
and has touched me every day since.
Larry;
DeleteEye witness accounts bring a powerful possibility to the day. I'm sure that meeting Jesus will be a highlight! Waiting expectantly,
ronaldo
Jesus’ Face
ReplyDeletePaul, Bonhoeffer, Tillich, Barth, Rogness often saw Our Lord.
In fact they claimed a joint meeting occurred when two people meet.
“The Christ in me meets the Christ in you.” They’re exact word.
Does the external visage determine belief? Is physicality faiths’ seat?
Isaiah proclaimed a disturbing reality of the Messiah’s form.
One without form or comeliness or beauty that attracts,
A menial servant living out salvations brutal, effective norm,
On Golgotha, Word Become Flesh only Grace’s light refracts.
External beauty has its place, always gets attention.
Internal beauty outshines whatever package it’s in.
Jesus focuses God’s purpose, Spirit’s power, Satan’s dissension.
He attracts any near, bringing hope, joy to the world’s fractured sin.
Artists render Jesus in poignant scenes where pain is soothed.
Spirit often captures talent to bring into the open faiths joyous shout.
As long as brush meets canvas, marble gets chipped and smoothed.
Imagination creates an inner picture most personal, placed on soul’s redoubt.
Word Become Flesh meets us in the circumstance of the day.
His look matches the needs that our most important challenges field.
Sometimes a safe set of arms, a hug, a warm loving presence on the way.
Other times a defender of truth, a champion who makes the foe yield.
Ever congruent, Lord Jesus displays exact truth through and through.
Plays with children, challenges beliefs, heals illness, even death,
His incarnation brings to light Creator and Spirits hidden view,
With total abandon, God revealed love’s length, depth, breadth.
Our Jewish friends, Muslim neighbors remind that images can harm.
They would encourage a personal depth of imagination kept inside.
Indeed, no blazing talent can portray completely Spirit’s charm.
Our beloved Savior consistently close by, in whom we can confide.
May our Lord’s sweet countenance look upon you with a smile.
May you rest secure in His loving embrace, safe from hurt.
May you call on Him as need arises as you trek many a mile.
May His visage be familiar, His bright eyes ever alert.
The Rev. Ronald Allen Melver, M.Div.
12 March 2013
The Face of Jesus
ReplyDeleteMy first reaction is, "NO"
"This is not MY Jesus"
It's not the dark hair and eyes that I object to
There's something about his blank expression
that turns me away
He looks lost and disoriented
I would expect to see His face with more self-awareness
His hair is too short for a Jewish "Teacher"
He looks more like a fisherman, than a former carpenter
He looks more Neanderthal, than Semitic
He just doesn't draw me in
Maybe he would have looked more accurate,
had the reconstructed skulls been from Nazareth,
His real hometown
However, I must admit, that my own personal image of The Jesus
is biased by the images of the reconstructed Face from the
Shroud of Turin
I've already decided, though, that what He looked like,
when He was here, won't change my faith.
He's still the Christ/Messiah
fHs
Sara