In class today, we discussed the many different portrayals of Jesus Christ. We looked at a variety of depictions, ranging from a classic, European Jesus to a plastic bobblehead Jesus. Where did our pictures of Jesus come from? They certainly are not historically accurate, and yet we continue to use such examples to depict the appearance of Jesus. But why does it really matter what Jesus looked like? Does the beard really give us insight into the personality of Jesus?
I think it is kind of nice that we have so many depictions of Christ, for no one views him the same. Maybe the concept of all of these different appearances (beard, no beard, blue eyes, brown eyes, straight hair, long hair, short hair, curly hair) is to reflect the different understandings of Jesus and his role in our lives. Giving Jesus an appearance we are familiar with and comfortable around, even an appearance we can laugh around (the bobblehead) allows him to become more accessible in our minds. I suppose that as long as we do not become so preoccupied with his appearance that we lose the true picture of Jesus as our Saviour (no matter what he actually looked like) that bobblehead Jesus is okay by me :)
Thats a good question; where did our ideas of what Jesus looks like come from? I google imaged Jesus and found a million pictures of guys, most with facial hair and feminine faces.
ReplyDeleteI agree though, I think it's pretty awesome that there are so many ideas of what He looks like. It's like he is everything we need him to be...and more. But then again, I think it's bad when we have to give him an image to worship Him.