What did Jesus look like?

What does Jesus look like?

We were standing at the back of the room as the tech team was running through the communion video before the worship service.  As a clean, too handsome, movie star like image of Jesus appeared, we all agreed, “He never looked like that.”  That was the Hollywood movie style Jesus that walked around with a slight glow about him, feet never really touching the ground, and a faraway look in his eyes.

We don’t know what a photo of Jesus would have looked like.  But we do know that we are talking about real history, a particular person, at a particular place, at a particular time.  

The first painting below is a “more realistic” attempt to portray Jesus and the disciples on the road to Emmaus in Palestine in the first century.  Still a bit idealized, it looks like real people in a real situation.  I particularly identify with the fellow on the right with his hand to his head.  He could be thinking, “I’m so stupid to not to have understood this before,” or “My brain hurts.  This is so hard to wrap my head around.”

There is the historical presence of Jesus in Palestine, but there is also his presence now, with his people, with those who follow him, whoever and wherever they are.

Even the Italian Renaissance painter Caravaggio set the “Supper at Emmaus” in a sixteenth century Italian tavern with typically dressed Italians.

Many modern paintings try to capture the truth of Jesus’s presence now.  Below is one from a Spanish artist.

Another by an African artist.

Here are two contemporary American paintings.  First by Laura James: “Emmaus Story”.  The second by Barry Motes: “Supper at Emmaus”.