When you think of a picture of Jesus and what He must have looked liked…what comes to mind? Is He white? Black? Brown? Oriental? African? European? Is He tall? Short? Skinny? Fat? Does He have a beard? Goatee? Clean Shaven? What is He doing in your 'image' of Him? What is He wearing? what style of clothes?
Take a moment and think about it–what 'image' of Jesus comes to your mind?
Try 'googling' (yes I used the word 'googling' it on my blog 
) it and and see what comes up…
VERY North American looking am I right? To be totally honest (as I like to do on this blog)…when I think of what Jesus must have looked like…I get a very 'typical North American' image. White guy, average height, average build with a long beard and TONS of facial hair. You know the image..the one we ALL see (at least here in North America) in Sunday School. He is where a white robe, blue/purple sash…and He is sitting down-a bunch of kids around Him and He has this beautiful smile on His face.
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| This photo..only in my mind..Jesus would be smiling 🙂 |
HELLO REALITY. This image of Jesus couldn't be more wrong. Well, the fact that He has kids around Him..probably true as He talked a LOT about having a 'child like faith' (Matthew 18:2-4 ) and the fact that the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to these (children) and those who do not see the Kingdom as a child-will not enter it ((Mark 10:13-16 NASB)
But a "white' Jesus? umm really North American church? He was a Jew…scripture is quite clear on that (Matt. 2:1, Micah 5:2) and where He was born/grew up (Luke 2:39-40) …so it SHOULD click in on what nationality He was born into. Does it make sense yet North American Church?
Again I ask you- WHO IS THIS JESUS?
It is a question that has been on my heart over this last while. I am not sure where the question came from, or what 'sparked' it, but its something I hope to get a better 'grasp' on in the days/months to come. With Training camp coming up in 63 days and the World Race coming in a mere 4 MONTHS (STOKED!!!!!!!!!!!), I am quite sure that this will be a question that I (we) will be asked on the race-whether its by fellow squad mates (look out R squad– I WILL be asking YOU!), the locals we come into contact with whether that's out in the bush of Africa, to the green hills of Ireland-to the the red light district of Thailand, to the snowy (yes hopefully SNOWY) mountains of Nepal, chances are it may come up at some point. So what are your thoughts?
Perhaps another question is this…HAVE YOU SEEN JESUS?
or maybe they are 'one in the same'….that call-is yours.
When I truly stop, and think about 'who is this Jesus' my mind is taken to those who have positively influenced me in my own walk with Christ-from sunday school teacher, youth leaders, parents, friends, college profs, and especially the kids/people I've met internationally—>I have totally seen aspects of WHO Jesus is. Through their words. Through their actions. Through their LOVE and encouragement. They have come in ALL shapes, sizes, colour, backgrounds and nationalities-but they have ALL touched my life in their own unique way. They have allowed me to see the world (and better understand it) in a way that has totally rocked my world.
Currently, my mind is back in zambia-especially on a little girl named "Little Nikki". I only knew her for a day this side of Heaven (read story here…) but I think/know it was a day when I TRULY met Jesus the most–>through this little girl..through this child. I wish I could say I knew what happened to her after she got taken from us…but I dont and chances are I will NEVER know what happened to her. I can only pray that I WILL see her in Heaven…kneeling at our Creators feet, soaking in HIS love.
Although I only knew her for a day–I saw Jesus in her smile. In her joy. In her laughter. In her awe of what was around her. I saw Jesus in her hope of a new day, new adventure and life.
I saw Jesus in her pain. In her sorrow as she turned around that last time and looked at me with those eyes that are forever burned in my mind. I saw Jesus in her tears as she tried to compose herself, knowing what was coming. I saw Jesus in her anger. I saw Jesus in her hopelessness and complete brokenness.
The ironic thing that I just realized…is in EVERYONE of those statements… I could replace "her' with "I". Jesus saw ME in my pain, in MY sorrow, in MY tears, Anger, hopelessness and complete brokenness. Jesus saw ME in MY smile, my joy, my laughter, awe and HOPE.
How AMAZING is that?!?!? Jesus not only SEES little Nikki right now where she is, but He never has left her and He NEVER will. The same goes for me and you.
Who is this Jesus? HE is the best friend I have ever had. He knows me inside and out and loves me no matter what I say or do. He doesn't care about my past, or the sins that filled (fill) it. When He said "IT IS FINISHED" He meant "IT IS FINISHED". That is the amazing thing about Grace…about this time leading up to Easter and the work HE did on the cross for me and you.
Guys…HE LOVES US and is JEALOUS for us.
Who is this Jesus?
HE is the Great I AM and
He is my best friend. 
(My hand holding "Little Nikki's…I did not know at the time this photo was taken..the joy, or pain that was yet to come…they say a photo is 'worth a thousand words' and this one is totally that…SO many mixed emotions)
