“Kitsch Jesus” is very popular. In paintings and posters, he’s portrayed as having straight teeth, perfect skin, bright blue eyes, and long, flowing hair. He’s often in soft focus, sitting in a peaceful sunlit field and is almost always gazing lovingly at the lamb he cradles in his arms. “Kitsch Jesus” wears long, white robes even when he’s painted in a modern setting, and occasionally he holds a shepherd’s staff. “Kitsch Jesus” rarely has a care in the world and never sports a furrowed brow. He’s a lavender-scented, greeting-card Jesus who is all pixies and daisies and skipping through the fields.
Please don’t think me insensitive. Such artistic representations of Jesus are not all bad: They remind us of how gentle, caring, and in control the real Jesus is. But “Kitsch Jesus” has a problem: He is all glory without grit, all victory without pain, all resurrection without crucifixion.
Yes, Christians believe in a glorious, victorious, resurrected Christ who brings light and peace and joy into our lives. But our redemption comes by way of His crucifixion. While “Kitsch Jesus” wanders the web without a care or fear, the real Jesus sweat drops of blood (Luke 22:44). While “Kitsch Jesus” strokes his little lambs, the real Jesus had His back slashed with whips (Matthew 27:26). While “Kitsch Jesus” holds out his soft, clean hands, the real Jesus retains the scars from His ordeal even after His resurrection (John 20:27).
“Kitsch Jesus” sidesteps the crucifixion part of Jesus’ life, proclaiming a pain-free faith in a Jesus without scars. But remember: The resurrected Jesus has nail marks in His hands. He’s our Lord in suffering and victory.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Daniel 2:1-24
More:
In a way, Jesus still suffers today. Read Acts 9:4-5 to see how.
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Why is “Kitsch Jesus” so popular? What’s the real problem with such incomplete images of Jesus?
Gary Shultz on May 29, 2015 at 6:15 am
I must confess I have never given deep thought to some of the ways Jesus is portrayed. However, it is the only picture some folks have of Jesus. These things do print a very jaded concept of the Jesus we know from scripture. I suppose the real deal is for us now to live out the real life, the real reflection of Christ, the Christ of the Bible, not the gift shop. Thanks
Sheridan Voysey on June 5, 2015 at 4:00 am
Here’s what I’m talking about in visual form, Gary: http://sheridanvoysey.com/036-the-problem-with-kitsch-jesus/
farmgirlannie on May 29, 2015 at 7:31 am
I loved this devotion. It gives us more of a true image of Christ.
Marlena Graves on May 29, 2015 at 9:38 am
I think this is part of the reason why some of my Roman Catholic friends focus on his passion and have crucifixes in their homes.
Sheridan Voysey on June 5, 2015 at 4:01 am
Interesting insight, Marlena.
Tom Felten on May 29, 2015 at 10:45 am
Sheridan, I’m reminded of the words of Isaiah 53:3-6. What a great sacrifice, what great love!
davidbloomfield on May 30, 2015 at 4:51 am
Very good article. Wonderful to think we will one day know what Jesus really looks like.