Questions concerning Jesus: Was Jesus Attractive?


Was Jesus Attractive?

Introduction

        Another challenge in the life of a Christian is trying to get an understanding of what Jesus looked like. A lot of times you’ll see an image posted on Social Media of a young man in a robe with a beard and mustache. They tell you it’s Jesus and you should share this image in others. Of course, if you know your Star Wars movies, it’s the character Obi Wan Kenobi from the prequel films.
        The question posed is: What did Jesus look like? In article to follow, we’ll try to answer this question.



Paintings before Photographs

        The images below can easily be identified as: Ludwig Von Beethoven, George Washington, and William Shakespeare.



 At least, that is what we are told by teachers and experts. We have to go on a sign of faith to agree with them that this is who they are. Photography wasn’t invented until the mid-19th Century; when some of the first pictures were that of Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War.

        But what of those who lived in the first century and earlier? We don’t have any real idea of what they look like; just artists impressions of those individuals. The most painted individual would be that of Jesus. If you were to do a search online of images of Jesus, you’ll find hundreds and most don’t look alike. If you were to do the same with the other three men above, you’ll find several similarities in the images.



The Image of Jesus

        Below are two specific images of Jesus that I’ve selected. The one on the right is the standard image that everyone is familiar with. The one on the left is one created by anthropologists and forensics of what people looked like back then.



 You can see a vast difference between the two and most would immediately gravitate towards the image on the right. Why? Because, to them, that is the image that is emblazoned on their mind of what Jesus really looked like. Except, Jesus wasn’t Caucasian. Since he was born in Bethlehem, and he was a Jew, he would have a darker skin color like the image on the right. People would reject this image as it doesn’t match up to the other and similar images found on the internet.


What does the Bible Say?

        Let’s turn to scripture and see what it says about Jesus in appearance. First, let me say that this is not actual description of him or anyone else. If the bible were simply stories, I’m sure each of the “characters” would be described.

        In Isaiah 53:2 the prophet had this to say, “For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant, And as a root out of dry ground. He has no form or comeliness; And when we see Him, There is no beauty that we should desire Him.” From this we can conclude that in as far as physical appearance there was nothing special about him to separate him from the rest of the Jews. To say, “there is no beauty” doesn’t mean he was ugly for in that he would stand out as well as if he were attractive. This verse simply means that Jesus was ‘just another face in the crowd’. His preaching, teaching, and miracles were what made him stand apart from the rest.



Conclusion

        Here some commentary on Isa. 53:2 I found from Jamieson, Fawcett, and Brown: The studied reticence of the New Testament as to His form, stature, color, etc., was designed to prevent our dwelling on the bodily, rather than on His moral beauty, holiness, love, & etc., also a providential protest against the making and veneration of images of Him.

        From this we can conclude that the focus should be on Jesus’ words and his spiritual presence, not his physical appearance. If you are posting pictures of the supposed image of Jesus, or having these things hanging in your house, this is a form of idolatry (Ex. 20:3-4).


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

There are No Material Possessions

Image
  Things Not Found on Judgment Day, Part 4   Introduction A tough case was being argued in court. The defense attorney, feeling that he was in trouble, sent the judge a bottle of hundred-year-old brandy. The defendant was fit to be tied. “The judge will kill me,” he said. “Trying to bribe him; we’re dead.” “I don’t think so,” his attorney told him, “I sent it in the other lawyer’s name!”   You Can’t Take it with You In ancient Egypt, Pharaohs were buried with luxurious items such as gold, jewelry, family heirlooms, paintings, and even a chariot. It was said that they would need these items in the afterlife. In the more modern times, people are buried with sentimental items that meant something to the individual. For example, actor Bela Lugosi; known for his role as Count Dracula was buried in his Dracula cape. Princess Diana was buried with a set of rosary beads given to her by Mother Theresa. There are, others, who are buried with their fortunes; money mostly, bu
Read more

Who Wrote the Bible?

Image
  Introduction Several years ago, I attempted to talk to a co-worker about the bible and he wasn’t interested. I was trying to tell him it was written by God; even though he had several human writers. His comment to me was, “Are you trying to tell me that God whispered in the ears of these men of what to write?” At the time, I didn’t have an answer. But it does make one pause and ask the question, who did write the bible? We’ll look at some possibilities below.   Potential Authors AN UNBELIEVER—How ironic would it be if the scriptures were, in fact, written by an Atheist? He would show how foolish it is to waste time worshipping someone, or something, that doesn’t exist. For sure, he would discuss the worship of idols like in Isa. 44:8-19; how one would spend all this time worshipping an inanimate object, hoping to be rewarded. But it isn’t written by an Atheist as they wouldn’t include verses like Psalms 14:1, The fool has said in his heart, "There is no God."
Read more

The Death of Marriage

Image
  Divorce and the Bible, part 1   Introduction In Malachi 2:16, it is written, “For the LORD God of Israel says That He hates divorce, For it covers one's garment with violence,” Says the LORD of hosts. “Therefore take heed to your spirit, That you do not deal treacherously.” Marriage is an invention of God, divorce is an invention of man, therefore, God hates divorce. And, it’s not just an unscriptural one either. He hates it altogether. In this series of articles, we’ll look at what the bible has to say about divorce.   Definition of Divorce 1828 Webster’s Dictionary —   A legal dissolution of the bonds of matrimony, or the separation of husband and wife by a judicial sentence. This is properly called a divorce, and called technically, divorce a vinculo matrimonii.   Easton’s Bible Dict. — The dissolution of the marriage tie was regulated by the Mosaic law Deut. 24:1-4. The Jews, after the Captivity, were required to dismiss the foreign women they had married c
Read more