The Unveiling: Jesus in Art

Jesus has been the central figure in the lives of many since his arrival... no wonder that he would be depicted in art for centuries. From the early religious iconic symbols, through the work of the Old Masters, to the present day... he has made a major impact on the art world.

Many different pictures of Jesus are shown to us in the world.

Which one is the right one?

Pictures of Jesus in Art
Artist depictions of Jesus are from much later than his time walking the earth. Therefore, we do not have any way of knowing exactly what he looked like. More importantly, the Bible seems to place no great importance on Jesus' physical appearance. Isaiah tells us: "He has no form or majesty that we should look upon Him, nor appearance that we should be attracted to Him" (Isaiah 53:2).

It doesn't matter what Jesus looked like, because the important thing is to believe in him. After he rose from the dead, Jesus told his disciple Thomas, "Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed" (John 20:29).

In art, we often see Jesus depicted as a light-skinned man with reddish hair and blue eyes. And African art has depicted him as having dark skin and Asian art has depicted him as having Asian eyes. But all of these are probably off-base, for Jesus was a Jew from his mother's side (his Father being God). Thus he probably looked like a Jewish man.

Pictures of Jesus' Race
Followers of Christ are generally assumed to be from the Western hemisphere. However, faith in Jesus began in the Middle East and spread outward from there, throughout the whole earth. For example, there are millions of people today in Africa and Asia who claim to be followers of Jesus Christ. The largest church today can be found in Korea.

The Bible tells us that people who believe in Jesus are from every tribe and people and nation and language (Revelation 7:9). Yet it is unlikely that any whole nation believes in Jesus. Certainly, it would be naive to think that everyone in the West who fills out a form as "Christian" is actually a true follower of Jesus. After all, Jesus said the way to destruction is broad and many travel by it; and the way to life is narrow, and few find it (Matt 7:13-14).

It could be that, proportionally speaking, there is relatively the same number of Christians in America as there is in Africa, for example. We don't know for sure, but God does. He alone knows people's hearts. He knows who has turned to Him in truth and who has not. And He is impartial when it comes to race (Acts 10:34-35).

Source: http://www.everystudent.com/wires/real.html)

Many different pictures of Jesus are shown to us in the world.

Question: Which one is the right one?

Answer: His personal features and appearance are of no importance when compared to the reason He came to this world... to offer Himself as a sacrifice so all people may have eternal life. I love how God's Word (the Bible) doesn't get caught up in pointless details (like what Jesus looked like) that could distract us from the truth. My favorite description of Jesus in the Bible is when He says... "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me ..." John 14:6

With all that said... here is a portrait I did of Jesus inspired by Hebrews 12:2... Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

The painting through various stages....