On Tuesday I will be preaching on Isaiah 53 and the prophecy of the Suffering Servant. This vivid passage paints a clear picture of the sacrifices Jesus was to come and make as God incarnate. The passage talks about rejection, abuse, suffering, pain, being despised, oppressed and afflicted. This is not an image we want to have of our God, but it was the reality Jesus faced as he was rejected by his people. Often we reject the truth of Jesus, his teachings, and the kingdom of God, because they don’t quite line up with the Jesus we are looking for. We like to repaint Jesus in our own image so that we can feel more comfortable with him. If we can fit him into a box that allows us to feel comfortable, we won’t have to change who we are or what we are doing. Jesus can change instead. With over a billion Christians worldwide, it makes you wonder how many different Jesus’ we are worshiping?
I found some funny images of modern Jesus’ that reflect this desire we have to repaint Jesus into our own image. What does your Jesus look like?
July 6, 2007 at 5:48 pm
I like the orange slice halo. Shay told me about it this morning. I thought I’d miss my chance to see the vegan Jesus. My day is now complete. Thank you! My Jesus looks like Hal at the weaver…he can cook too! I’ll introduce you some day. He has promised to be in a future church promo video. He’s happy to be my Jesus. Just wait and see…
July 6, 2007 at 6:49 pm
Yeah the Vegan one is my favorite too. There are a bunch of Jesus candidates at the Weaver, must be why you feel so at home there.
July 11, 2007 at 8:44 pm
This is my first visit to your blog, and when i read this, I had to post. Near Cincinnati, there is a 60 foot tall yellow statue of Jesus. I had seen it and thought it was funny, then I heard a comedian sing a song about it called “Big Butter Jesus”. Hilarious. I heard it on the Bob and Tom morning Radio show. Anyways, check out the photo: http://banderson.files.wordpress.com/2006/09/giantjesus.jpg
July 12, 2007 at 1:32 am
Grant, thanks for dropping by. That Jesus statue is awesome. I am building one in my first church, only bigger so it has some presence.
November 18, 2007 at 9:51 pm
ThIs Is SoOoOo AwEsOmE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I want to come and see this statue on my next vacation!
loVe Ya JeSuS!
-me-