Wednesday, December 20, 2017

What Color Is Jesus?

"For God so loved the world
that he gave his one and only son
that whoever believes in him should not perish
but have eternal life."
John 3:16

One of my favorite Christmas songs is rarely heard these days, but I have always been touched by its meaning, and I'm afraid it isn't PC. Today's culture in America is hyper aware of the differences between races and colors of people. There are some valid reasons for this. At the same time, it seems we are so focused on differences that we often forget vital similarities.

In the Christian realm, especially at Christmas and Easter, we hear complaints that Jesus shouldn't ever be portrayed as white. To be more specific, as a Western European looking Jesus. Culturally and racially, Jesus was a middle eastern Jew. He probably had dark hair and brown eyes and skin tanned and roughened from work and exposure to the elements. But you know what? It doesn't bother me if artists depict Jesus as Western European.

That last statement will come as a shock to some people. Our culture has trained us to be upset about saying things like that. I'd like to explain why it doesn't bother me, and I'd like to do it by using that favorite song I mentioned in the first paragraph.

The song is an old one called "Some Children See Him," and its lyrics are as follows:

Some children see Him lily white,
The baby Jesus born this night.
Some children see Him lily white,
With tresses soft and fair.
Some children see Him bronzed and brown,
The Lord of heav'n to earth come down.
Some children see Him bronzed and brown,
With dark and heavy hair.


Some children see Him almond-eyed,
This Savior whom we kneel beside.
Some children see Him almond-eyed,
With skin of yellow hue.
Some children see Him dark as they,
Sweet Mary's Son to whom we pray.
Some children see him dark as they,
And, ah! they love Him, too!


The children in each different place
Will see the baby Jesus' face
Like theirs, but bright with heavenly grace,
And filled with holy light.
O lay aside each earthly thing
And with thy heart as offering,
Come worship now the infant King.
'Tis love that's born tonight!

The point of this beautiful song is that children all over the world see Jesus as they are. He is like them, but even more. He reaches out to them with his heavenly grace. Jesus, the song asserts, is love for us all.

That's why I don't mind art that presents Jesus in different hues. My favorite Christian artist is Indian. In all his paintings the people look Indian, and this is no surprise considering he himself is Indian and draws upon his culture in his paintings. And yet, his imagery and symbolism is still breathtaking to me. The fact that he depicts the figures as Indian does not take away the truths inherent. To me, it adds to them. Jesus is for Indians as much as he is for anyone.

I have several Chinese paper cuts from when I lived in China that represent various Bible stories. In all of them, Jesus looks Chinese. Does this bother me? No, because once again it is an expression of Jesus as born for all, saving all.

I adore expressions of Jesus from various cultures, including Western Europe, because Jesus is not owned by one culture. Jesus came for everyone. "Some Children See Him" expresses this truth beautifully. It's love that's born tonight, love for every race and every culture, and no matter how we see Jesus in our minds, he is born for us.

Jesus looked like a middle eastern Jew, and we can guess at specifics, but in truth, the Bible doesn't reveal anything about Jesus' physical attributes while he dwelt among us in the first century AD. On the other hand, we are given a description of Jesus when he appeared to the disciple John in a vision:

"[I]n the middle of the lampstands I saw one like a son of man, clothed in a robe reaching to the feet, and girded across His chest with a golden sash. His head and His hair were white like white wool, like snow; and His eyes were like a flame of fire. His feet were like burnished bronze, when it has been made to glow in a furnace, and His voice was like the sound of many waters. In His right hand He held seven stars, and out of His mouth came a sharp two-edged sword; and His face was like the sun shining in its strength." Revelation 1:13-16

It is interesting to me that some get upset about the depiction of Jesus when Jesus clearly is going to return his own unique brand of color. He will be the perfection of man and the power of the divine in one. We will bow before him, awed by our Savior in all his might and glory. He will not be defined by one culture or race. He will be salvation and love for every man.

And for this reason, when it comes to Christmas, when it comes to Jesus, I appreciate Jesus in all colors and races. It reminds me of the truth: Jesus is not reserved for one nation or people, but is available to the entire world if they would hear his voice and follow him. And that brings me the greatest joy this time of year and always!

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