In previous blogs, I have spoken about the picture Bible that my mom would put out at Christmas time. I loved to sneak peeks at the spectacular pictures in that old Bible. As I’ve mentioned before, the picture of Jesus helping Peter out of the water was always my favorite. But there was also a picture of Jesus with a small child on His lap and that picture was just beautiful. As I looked at that picture, I remember wishing that I was that child and that I could sit on His lap too. He was beautiful in those pictures. But I still wondered, “What does Jesus really look like?”
I loved the pictures in that old Bible, especially those of Jesus. He always looked so warm and loving.
When we see pictures representing Jesus, He is typically caucasian with a handsome face, warm and inviting eyes, and long, flowing brown hair. But not everyone agrees with that picture. Some people say that Jesus was caucasian. Some people say that He was Black. Still, others say He was middle eastern. I confess that I have wondered, “What does Jesus look like?”
The Scriptures don’t speak to the color of Jesus’s skin. It doesn’t even mention the color of His hair or eyes. One of the few things it does say about His appearance is that He had “no beauty.” “For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him.” Isaiah 53:2. This probably makes you wonder, “What does Jesus look like?”
The first time I heard about Isaiah 53:2, I was shocked (and almost offended). I had just come to know Jesus as my personal Savior and I was crazy in love with Him (still am by the way 🙂 ). So, I thought, “My Savior is BEAUTIFUL! He is the Son of God. Of course, He’s handsome!”
But the scripture is the Holy, inerrant (without error) word of God. So, if it says that Jesus was without beauty, we know that it is true.
God knew that mankind judges all people by their outward appearances. “But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7.
So, Jesus didn’t have an appearance that would draw us to Him because we can only be saved by our faith. “For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God,” Ephesians 2:8.
Jesus didn’t resemble a majestic King because we would be drawn to His royalty. He wasn’t beautiful in His appearance because we would be drawn to that as well. We don’t even know what color His skin was because, those of us who shared His skin color, would be drawn to Him as a result. But we would also be more apt to think of ourselves as superior because our skin was the same color as our Savior’s.
No wonder we can’t answer the question, “What does Jesus look like?”
We may not be able to speak to Jesus’s outward appearance, but we can sure speak to His inward appearance.
He was an astonishing teacher who taught with authority. “And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching. for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes.” Matthew 7:28-29.
He was compassionate and healed the sick. “When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick.” Matthew 14:14.
He sympathizes with our struggle with sin. “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.” Hebrews 14:5.
He had a tender heart. When He saw how heartbroken Lazarus sisters were, he cried. “Jesus wept.” John 11:35.
He had a heart of forgiveness. “And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments.” Luke 23:34.
He had a heart of mercy. When the sinful thief on the cross next to Him said, “Remember me when you come into your kingdom.” “Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:43.
And He loves us. “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.” John 15:9.
He loves us so much that He suffered and died in our place. There is no greater love. “But God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8.
So, when we wonder, “what does Jesus look like?”, we can still, truthfully say, “My Savior is Beautiful!”
Father God, we thank You for our Beautiful Savior. We thank You, Jesus, for Your heart of compassion for us. We thank You for Your mercy, forgiveness, love, and sacrifice. You are our Beautiful Savior and we love and adore You. There are simply no words to truly describe Your beauty. Nor are there words to describe our love for You… but we love because You first loved us. Thank you, Jesus. Holy Spirit, help us to share the beauty and love of Jesus with the hurting world around us. Be glorified in us, Lord. We pray this in your precious and Holy name.
If you don’t know Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior and you too wonder, “what does Jesus look like?”, I pray that you would go to our Life Preserver page (https://forgiven-n-loved.com/life-preserver/). Please pray the prayer located on that page. When you do, you will experience first hand the beauty and love of Jesus. Please pray and, once you have, reach out to me at Forgiven-N-Loved.com. I’d love to be in prayer for you.
Luv Ya!
