Ugliness

 

 

Introduction

Years ago, a comedian once made the statement: “Beauty is only skin deep; but ugly goes clean to the bone.” Oftentimes, we allow certain people to make the decision as to what is beautiful and what is considered ugly. The problem though is that these people see only beauty in 10% of life.

They say, Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and that, I believe, is very true. Everyone has their own opinion as to what is considered beautiful. In this article we’ll look at what truly considered ugly.

 

Unapproved Picture

The other day I posted a picture of a friend on social media. It was a candid shot of her eating something and I put a humorous comment to go with it. Well, when she saw the photo, she freaked out and asked me to take it down as it made her look ugly. I took it down, as requested, and told her that I thought it made it look adorable. I also said that people are only ugly when they want to be.

Being one who struggles with self-esteem issues, I can readily understand why she disapproved of the picture. But at the same time, its candid shots of people which shows what real life is all about. It’s easy to stand still and pose for a picture but that’s not real.

I’ve never considered myself ugly, even in the lowest points of my life. Yes, I have said ugly things and regretted it later but never considered myself ugly from a physical standpoint. Reminding oneself that we are created in the image of God (Gen. 1:26) should help us to understand that physical beauty is temporary. The soul of an individual is eternal.

 

Was Jesus Ugly?

In Isaiah 53:2, the prophet writes, 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. This whole chapter speaks of Jesus and some, who read this verse, conclude that Jesus must have been unattractive as it states that there was nothing about him that would draw people to him. In the same vein, though, if he were ugly, it would drive people away.

The point, here, is that the opposite of beautiful is not always ugly but, rather, plain. There was nothing special about his outward appearance that made people come to him. In other words, he was just another face in the crowd. There was no aura around him; no large halo as artists depict. Nothing as far a physical appearance.

Instead, it was his words and his teachings that attracted people to him. What he said, how he said it, and who heard it was the difference maker. As it is written in Matthew 7:28-29, And so it was, when Jesus had ended these sayings, that the people were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. His teachings separated him from the scribes. Study chapters 5-7 of Matthew. Notice how Jesus recited the Old Law when he said, “You have heard that it was said to those of old…” But then, afterwards he would say, “But I say unto you…” Each time he, himself was giving law.

 

Ugly Words?

A couple of different times Jesus made said something that made people angry. In Matthew 15 he was talking about how the pharisees were teaching the doctrines of men and not that of God (verses 7-9). Afterwards, his disciples came to him and said, …"Do You know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?" (Matthew 15:12). Was Jesus just being ugly? No! He was making a point and, though it was considered harsh, it was needed to be said. He was being firm and direct; not ugly.

Another time, in John 6, Jesus spoke to those who were following Him as he had provided food for them in a miraculous way. They were expecting another free meal and had no real interest in what he was actually teaching. The end result is seen in verses 60-66. In the interest of space, here, let’s look at a few of these… John 6:60-61, Therefore many of His disciples, when they heard this, said, "This is a hard saying; who can understand it?" When Jesus knew in Himself that His disciples complained about this, He said to them, "Does this offend you? And verse 66, From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more. Knowing that they weren’t going to get another “free meal” they stopped following him. Again, Jesus wasn’t being ugly but separating the tares from the wheat (Mt. 13:24-30).

Sin is Ugly

The one thing that is truly ugly is Sin! It’s so bad that it makes God turn His face away from His people (Isa. 59:2). It makes people hate the light as Jesus states in John 3:20-21, "For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. "But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God."

David wrote of his sin, with Bathsheba in Psalm 51. Let’s look closely as verses 3-4, For I acknowledge my transgressions, And my sin is always before me. Against You, You only, have I sinned, And done this evil in Your sight-That You may be found just when You speak, And blameless when You judge.

Conclusion

Physical appearance should never be a factor when it comes to people being ugly or beautiful. It’s what’s inside that counts and what one does with their life. Those who become a Christian and remain faithful unto death (Rev. 2:10) have an eternal beauty. That is what everyone should vie for.