So what did Jesus look like? Did he resemble actor James Caviezel who played Jesus in Mel Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ? Probably not. Something like Warner Sallman’s famous portrait Head of Christ? Uh, no—don’t think so.
The Bible tells us very little about Jesus’ physical appearance. Perhaps we find a clue or two in Isaiah 53:2: “There was nothing beautiful or majestic about his appearance, nothing to attract us to him.”
Jesus was definitely not G.I. Joe—more average Joe. If you bumped into him in a crowded marketplace, it’s likely you wouldn’t have given him a second look.
Isaiah 52:13–53:12, the last of the four Servant Songs (Isaiah 42:1-9, 49:1-7, 50:4-11), doesn’t give us a physical description of Jesus. But it does paint a compelling portrait of Him—revealing who He is and what He’s done for us.
This song tells of Jesus’ humanity, His suffering and sacrifice for us, His death and burial, and His victory and majesty (Isaiah 53:10-12). Because Christ succeeded in His mission to save, He’s “highly exalted” and has been given “the honors of a victorious soldier” (Isaiah 52:13,15, 53:10-12).
But this was accomplished at a high cost. Jesus was “despised and rejected . . . pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins . . . beaten so we could be whole . . . whipped so we could be healed . . . oppressed and treated harshly . . . unjustly condemned [and] buried like a criminal” (1 Thessalonians 3:3-9). He was “so disfigured he seemed hardly human” (Isaiah 52:14).
But Jesus “had done no wrong” (Isaiah 53:9). So as we gaze at this picture of Jesus, we see the One who bore our sins so we could be right with God, the Son of God who died that we might live eternally (Isaiah 53:11). What an amazing portrait of grace!
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Nehemiah 2:1-20
More:
Read Matthew 26:47-67 and 27:11-54 to see how Jesus fulfilled Isaiah 53.
Next:
What did Jesus endure for you? How does the portrait you’re painting in life reflect the portrait Jesus lived out?
gagirllive on April 29, 2016 at 7:47 am
K. T., I think I mention before that I receive a monthly newsletter about persecuted Christians. They are my heroes of the faith. Their stories convict me of wanting life to be cushy. They inspire me to see the beauty of the “way of the cross” in my own life. I believe that in order to reflect Christ, we have to go through some kind of suffering. I don’t think there’s any other way for us to truly look like Jesus. Besides, it’s God’s refining method. Paul said to the persecuted church in Thessalonica, “But you know that we are destined for such troubles.” (1 Thess. 3:3) Hmm…this is our destiny. I suppose how we respond to suffering or persecution will determine how closely we are conformed to the image of our Savoir. Do we respond with humility, faith, love, …even joy? If so, we reflect His portrait. I’ll have to admit that I sure do want to look like Jesus, but I’m not eager to suffer like Him. However, I go forward remembering that Jesus said the servant is not greater than his master, and I try to embrace the journey He has for me knowing that my life is His canvas. He holds the brush and paints the strokes so that when it’s all said and done, what He has painted of me will hopefully be a reflection of Himself. This is my desire, at least. Thanks for this beautiful devo today, K. T. Lots to reflect on here.
Tom Felten on April 29, 2016 at 8:43 am
Beautiful thoughts, gagirllive. It means so much to know that our perfect Savior begin like us, identifying with us and suffering for us, that we might be made whole again . . . that we might be new creations! Yes, in this life we will face troubles, but we take heart, for our Savior—Jesus—has overcome the world.
gagirllive on April 29, 2016 at 12:48 pm
Amen, Tom! Our Suffering Savoir has shown us the way, and because He overcame, we are overcomers, too. We endure every trial from a position of victory!!
sandy229 on April 29, 2016 at 10:15 am
I also get that newsletter, Voice of the Martyrs? When I think of all they go through, my heart really goes out to them and it is so heart breaking. In China, children and youth under the age of 18 cannot be taught about Christ. They are not allowed to attend Sunday school or church and most Christian children’s literature is illegal. V.O.M. devoted the whole newsletter this month to China. Before it has been about Syria and Iraq but little about China. We should be so willing to teach children about Christ that we would go to prison for it. These stories are so heart wrenching! I’m sure you read this too. Sometimes it just brings tears to my eyes the things they are doing to Christian families and its only because they want to learn about Christ and teach all the children about Christ. Families are torn apart, they are ridiculed, but nothing compared with what they did to Jesus on the cross, and he bore the sins of everyone so we could be set free. These stories also inspire me gagirl. Thanks K.T. for this inspiring devo today, as gagirl said, there is much to reflect on here.
gagirllive on April 29, 2016 at 12:51 pm
Sandy, I was referring to Open Doors, but I am very familiar with VOM as well. How we need to pray for our brothers and sisters!
sandy229 on April 29, 2016 at 5:06 pm
oh, OK, well you’re right, we do need to pray for both.
samgaskill on April 29, 2016 at 11:49 am
I see what you are saying gagirl! I too enjoy the voices of the martyrs, persecuted Christians and have even posted their faces or stories that I see them often as they help me remain grounded in matters close to Gods heart. I know without a doubt that the trials I have been through have shaped me, changed me forever for His glory; I wouldn’t trade what I learn in the valley times ever! It is essential we pick up our cross and follow Him! Walk in trust in all things He allows in our lives. Appreciate the reminder to trust Him AND thank Him in all our circumstances, not just the easy stuff. Thank You Lord for the love, the comfort, the peace and the pruning!! Lord bless you all.
gagirllive on April 29, 2016 at 12:54 pm
Amen…in everything give thanks!
sandy229 on April 29, 2016 at 5:09 pm
Amen!
Mike Wittmer on April 29, 2016 at 12:05 pm
Interesting post, K.T. Jesus probably looked like someone we might find on America’s “No fly list.” Our Savior became a Middle Easterner with a thick Jewish accent. Most of our stained glass windows are wrong!
gagirllive on April 29, 2016 at 12:38 pm
True that! 🙂
sandy229 on April 29, 2016 at 5:07 pm
So true!!
godlove on April 29, 2016 at 4:53 pm
Thanks K.T. for this powerful reminder that the physical appearance which we tend to value so highly is of no importance to God who would rather we exhibit inner beauty.