"Jesuses" I've Been Shown (but have never known)

Baby Jesus - freshly bathed and powdered, halo shining brightly, an inspiration for every Gerber baby of the future - but often looking a little too much like a member of the youth group from “Village of the Damned”

Untouchable Jesus - no, not at all like Elliot Ness - spooky untouchable, always about to flash mystical signs with his fingers (Larry Norman said the movies made Jesus look like he’d just had his nails done) or like he’s posing for a sculptor.

Hollywood Jesus - a little more lifelike, with a backup choir always ready for theatrical effect, and heavy reverb so the audience can tell if it’s Jesus or the Father who is speaking, seldom looked Jewish (in early films) and almost always spoke with a British accent

(authorized version influence I suppose), still mostly untouchable, although I must mention

2 notable exceptions: in “The Gospel Road,” Johnny Cash showed a scene where Jesus was actually playing with the children - and they were dirty faced, kind of snotty nosed and having fun being with Him. In “Jesus of Nazareth” there was a scene where Jesus sat down by a wall, kind of closed his eyes, sighed and looked physically tired.

A human acting Jesus. What an idea!

Folky Jesus - this image showed up first in versions of spirituals performed by folk groups, singin’ ‘bout my lord, everybody shout allelu, amen, etc. “Michael Row the Boat Ashore,” “The Love Come a’Tricklin Down” are a couple of the songs I remember, Jesus kept a low profile and just grooved from within the crowd at the hootenanny - anticipating the next “coming of the Lord” which would be -

Hippie Jesus - Long hair, beard, sandals - Jesus was a hippie, not only that but he was THE FIRST hippie! Peace & love, he was so far out he was radical man. I remember Wanted posters that featured an image of hippie Jesus. There was another poster of him in church, in the front pew, . . . asleep! Hippie Jesus would inspire lots of music and soon appear as a superstar as well as a clown and other "incarnations."

Social Reformer Jesus, All American Hero Jesus and Credit Card Jesus (call him up and tell him what you want - right NOW!) These are just more versions of Jesus being made and presented in the image of what people want and hope He will be. It’s as if the one Jesus everyone might rally around would be Gumby Jesus; just stretch him and bend him and make him into whatever you want him to be.

Bible Jesus - This is the One I recommend getting to know. The physical description doesn’t exist “He has no stately form or majesty that we should look upon Him, nor appearance that we should be attracted to Him. (Isaiah 53:2) I've never seen Him, but that is clearly not an obstacle to loving Him. (1 Peter 1:8)There are many names that describe Him (Isaiah 9:6) but it is only Him to which they refer. John the Baptist saw Him and said “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29). Peter

responded to Jesus’ question saying “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” To which Jesus replied “. . . flesh and blood did not reveal this to you but My Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew16:16-17)

The Father is still revealing the Son to those who find the faith to believe in Him.