How to see Jesus

The story is told that Leonardo Da Vinci was placed as a boy in an artist’s community to learn how to paint. In those days, the ‘master’ painted and took credit for all commissions while the young students helped him with each assignment. Leonardo was given the task of painting an angel.

Up until then, people were painted with a two-dimensional look to them. Their skin looked dirty and flat, their eyes without expression. Leonardo was different. His angel looked warm and alive. When the ‘master’ saw it, he put down his brushes totally humbled and never painted again.

However, no matter who has done the painting, no artist has been able to depict the Lord Jesus Christ. For one thing, we have little idea of what He looked like, despite the guesses and conjectures. The Scripture says, “He had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him.” (Isaiah 53:2)

This does not mean He was ugly but does not justify the blue-eyed portraits nor those with black skin or oriental eyes. It is our human tendency to image God in our own image. Nothing could be farther from the truth.

Another passage gives this description:

 “Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest. The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire, his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength.” (Revelation 1:12–16)

Obviously, this is a vision filled with figures of speech. How can a being look like a man but have a sword coming out of His mouth and a face as bright as the sun? If an artist painted Jesus as described here, it would be almost unrecognizable as a person. As Tozer says, we do far better to realize Jesus dwells in His people and that each of us are supposed to reflect His image.

Tozer also says that whoever receives Christ as Lord, Savior and Redeemer and becomes united to Him like a canvas where God paints the “transforming portrait of Jesus Christ across our innermost beings.” Instead of trying to figure out what He looks like, my focus should be on who He is and how His image is seen in me. In other words, when people observe my life, do they get a sense of what His life is like?

“See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.” (1 John 3:1–3)

Some will not, as these verses say. Those who do not know Him will miss it unless the Holy Spirit reveals Him to them. Others might miss it too if my life is not pure. My sin, like mud on a mirror, will mess up the reflection.

Also, the image is somewhat distorted anyway — because I’m not there yet. A perfect reflection, a complete portrayal will not happen until I see Him as He is. I now see Him in the Bible, in the imperfect life of other Christians, but seeing Him as He is will only happen when face-to-face with Him in eternity.

^^^^^^^

Jesus, Your Word is clear. The people in whom You live are Your mirrors. I am a messenger and an ambassador that others might see You. This is a huge task, entrusted to God-graced sinners who generally look more like ourselves than like You. God, give me what I need and work all things toward that end, that You might be glorified and that others might realize at least a little bit of what You look like.