What Does Jesus Look Like?

If you asked this question as a street-corner pollster, you might hear, “He’s the baby Jesus at Christmas,” or “He’s the person of compassion who healed the sick and fed the hungry.” Some in Jesus’ earthly days would say “He’s an imposter, not the king that will restore our homeland!” Some would recall a suffering servant who could have, but didn’t, remove Himself from the pain of persecution and prosecution that took him to the cross. All of these descriptions are recorded in the Bible and are accurate (well, not the imposter one! He just wasn’t the earthly king they were expecting).

All of these are admirable traits that we would like to see in any person: compassionate, socially engaged, patient, and forgiving. I would like those characteristics in a friend, and I would like to strive to live up to those as well.

But that doesn’t always happen; for me and for others. Sometimes not even close. Sometimes my selfishness, short-sightedness, crabbiness, poor choices and anti-social behavior get in the way. I would not be the friend that you, nor I am looking for.

All of those descriptions of Jesus lead up to the greatest one. In Revelation 1:14-18 Jesus is described like this: “The hair on his head was white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, and coming out of his mouth was a sharp, double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance. When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: ‘Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever!’”

Wow! That’s the Jesus that caused people to bow in respect, or collapse in fear as if they were dead. But remember, He didn’t come to be like an earthly king. His first words when appearing to people post-Easter were “Peace be with you! My peace I give you!” He came to reestablish the relationship we can have with God and He has the power to do it, through His death and resurrection. He’s also compassionate, socially engaged, patient, and forgiving. That’s what Jesus looks like.

4832 pondering...
What do Jesus'  followers look like?