An image of Jesus
Ever noticed the way we portray Jesus in images, like photo’s, paintings and websites. Usually attractive, or at the very least, pleasant to the eye. Often fair skinned, and likely to have western facial features, sometimes even blue eyes.
The thought came to mind this week that we tend to picture Him as someone we can relate to, someone in whom we see a likeness of ourselves. In our western culture, Jesus so often looks like one of us, a westerner.
The reality however is probably quite different in that Jesus most likely had darker skin, middle eastern facial features, shorter hair, and brown eyes. The scriptures say that he was not particularly physically attractive, and yet rarely is He depicted otherwise in our paintings and images.
And here is the thought that keeps coming to mind. We often tend to portray Christ in our own image. That is to say, we make Christ look like us, or what we would like Him to look like. And I have this sense that we probably also apply this kind of thinking to the character of Christ as well, that is to say, His attributes. We assume that God would see things in a particular way, we imagine that God would seek to act in a particular way, according to what we know of ourselves.
Yes we were created in the image of God, and we are given some insight into His character according to the way we have been created, but the overwhelming thought is this; how easily we are able to make God and His Christ into the image of someone who looks like me.
In this day in which humanism is infiltrating the church, it is vitally important that we know who our God is, and that we take His word as to His character, as truth, even if we are having some difficulty reconciling it with our natural mind.
I recall Oprah Winfrey stating once that she couldn’t reconcile the Christian God as being a Jealous God, to her way of thinking. It just did not make sense, so she threw the baby out with the bathwater. In light of her spiritual awakening she has since determined what seems most fitting, as to the character of God. And sadly she now enlightens her viewers with a new age humanistic kind of God, who is able to be accepted by many. Oprah’s picture of God, looks just like she does, all fits nicely together and is a replica of Oprah’s natural understanding. In a sense, the same way that we sometimes depict Jesus in paintings, making Him look like a North American white skinned Christian with a goatee and long hair.
As to the Character of God, know this Christian. The Lord your God is a wrathful God. This may sit a little uncomfortably with our “God is Love” thinking, but regardless, we cannot ignore it and turn a blind eye to it, lest we also become a stumbling block to this generation.
I’ve grabbed a handful of scriptures from the New Testament concerning this particular characteristic of God. I hope you may take a moment to prayerfully read them and think upon them as to who your God is, and what He is like.
Mat 3:7 But when he (John) saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
Jhn 3:36 He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”
Rom 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,
Rom 2:5 But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God,
Rom 3:5 But if our unrighteousness demonstrates the righteousness of God, what shall we say? [Is] God unjust who inflicts wrath? (I speak as a man.)
Rom 5:9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath
Rom 9:22 [What] if God, wanting to show [His] wrath and to make His power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath prepared for destruction,
Eph 2:3 among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.
Eph 5:6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.
Col 3:6 Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience,
1Th 1:10 and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, [even] Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.
Rev 6:16 and said to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb!
Rev 6:17 For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?”
Daniel 11:32 says; “By smooth words he will turn to godlessness those who act wickedly toward the covenant, but the people who know their God will display strength and take action.
Know your God Christian!
