What Does Jesus Look Like?

What Does Jesus Look Like?

Some are "too busy" to give a good, honest look at Jesus. Some say they looked when they were little, and they saw enough. Why not look again?

A. Faces

1. Do you enjoy studying people's faces? Why?

2. What are some of the many ways we use our faces?

3. In your opinion, how important a part of your body is your face?

B. Appearances

1. How much time do you spend per day making yourself "presentable"?

2. What forces in our culture strive to make us dissatisfied with our appearance?

3. What do you think is your best physical feature?

4. To what extent do you accept the face and physical appearance God gave you?

C. Saving Face

1. Asians have an expression "to save face." What does it mean?

2. In what ways do North Americans also seek to save face?

D. What does Jesus look like?

1. Historically, we know nothing.

2. Artistically, how has he been portrayed?

3. The Bible relates only a few details of Jesus' appearance. Let's look at them.

E. How is Jesus described in Isaiah 53:2?

He [Christ] had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.

1. If you had had the choice before you were born, how would you have chosen to look?

2. Jesus had the choice. Why did he choose to look like this?

F. How does the Bible describe Jesus in Matthew 17:2?

There he [Christ] was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as light.

1. When did Jesus look like this? When he was transfigured into the glory he had always had in heaven before he was born as a man here on earth.

2. What does it mean? He really is God, who came to live among us, love us, serve us, and save us.

G. How is Jesus described in Revelation 1:12-16?

And when I turned I saw someone "like a son of man," dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. His head and hair were like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice like the sound of rushing water. In 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. (Revelation 19:11-16 is similar.)

1. When did Jesus look like this? This happened when he appeared in his heavenly glory to the Apostle John. This is the Bible's most detailed description of what Jesus looks like. This is how he looks now as he rules as Lord of earth and heaven.

2. Close your eyes and imagine standing before this person. How do you feel?

3. What details of this person's appearance grab your attention? Why?

4. What do the various features mean? "Like a son of man" means he is both man and god at the same time. White hair symbolizes that he is crowned with holiness. Blazing eyes means power to see everything; nothing is hidden from him. Feet of glowing bronze points to the fact that he will someday come to judge all people. Voice like rushing water means no one can challenge his voice and will. Holding the seven stars in his right hand points to his might and rule. The mouth with a sword means he can defeat all enemies with his words. Wow!

5. What kind of person is this?

H. How does the Bible describe Jesus in Isaiah 52:14?

Just as there were many who were appalled at him--his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any man and his form marred beyond human likeness.

The Living Bible says: They shall see my Servant beaten and bloodied, so disfigured one would scarcely know it was a person standing there.

1. When did Jesus look like this? When he suffered and died for the rebellion and sins of all people, including you and I. The agony he endured, was the agony we all deserve.

2. Do you know the story "The Portrait of Dorian Gray"? What does it add to this discussion?

3. Here is the key question? Why did the majestic being in Revelation 1 allow himself to be so disfigured, allow himself to "lose face"? How could he do it?

I. How does the majestic being in Revelation 1 look upon those who repent of their rebellion and trust in him for mercy and eternal life?

1. Here is what happened after the Majestic Jesus appeared to John (Revelation 1:17-18). What assurances do Jesus words speak to your heart?

When I [John] saw him [Jesus], 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. I 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."

2. What does Numbers 6:24-26 tell you about how God looks upon those who seek and accept the peace and forgiveness Christ has won for them?

The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; The Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.

What Do You See in Jesus?

Some are too "busy" to give Jesus a good, honest look.

Some say they looked when they were children, and they saw enough.

Some see him only as a great teacher, but not a loving God.

Others see a Savior who gave his life so we could live forever.

What do you see?

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