This is a question I came across the other day. You know what? I have never tried to picture the face of God. It never occurred to me. As I think about it, I really can’t picture HIM. HE is more of a feeling to me than anything else. I feel and hear and experience him, but can’t place a picture on HIM. Why do you think that is?
Now Jesus, I can picture and my picture of him has changed over the years. Growing up, I assumed he was white. Never took in account his earthly heritage. When I was in my 20’s, attended a wedding at a African American church. The crucifix at the altar had a black Jesus. I looked at it for a while, contemplating, and realized we all see him differently.
Then when we started studying ancient history of Egypt and Israel, it hit me light a bolt of lightening. Mary came from Nazareth and Jesus was born in Bethlehem. He is from Israel. Yes, his father was God, but Mary was his earthly mother. His heritage is Israeli.
So now I have a different image of Jesus that I see when thinking about him or praying.
Amazing what you discover when you teach someone else about history.
So – what image do you have of God?
I think the only save "picture" of God are the ones he has given us.
ReplyDelete" 12I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, 13and among the lampstands was someone "like a son of man,"[b]dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. 14His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. 15His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. 16In his right hand he held seven stars, and out of his mouth came a sharp double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance.
17When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: "Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. 18I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades. " (Rev. 1)
I don't wish to make any image of him in my mind because then I will tend to worship that image of him rather than Him, which is why I think, we were commanded not to make graven images of *anything*.
When I pray or think about Him I feel that it is important for me to not focus my thoughts on what He looked like while on earth, especially since his glory was veiled and now it is not as He has been glorified, but on what He did and his eternal attributes. The picture given in revelation was not a dramatic presentation of Him. It is the glorious picture of who He was, is and will always be forever.
Sorry, that should be "safe" picture.
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