They tell us they know what the face of Jesus looked like. It’s in the news this week, timed for Easter it would seem. Although it’s not news, it’s an old story, around since at least 2001.This time it’s just an artist’s impression and accompanying video.
What do we make of this? What the New Testament writers didn’t bother to pass on, and what generations have only wondered about, we moderns with our technology have done (or, supposedly … I must admit to being a believer in Jesus who is a skeptic about the Shroud of Turin). It seems a little too banal to hear a girl saying “Jesus is hot” (although Isaiah 53 might suggest otherwise). It’s a little worrying that we could become devoted to an image, instead of to Jesus. It’s a little disturbing to think that now by our technology we can finally control Jesus – we know what he looked like, after all.
The Gospel of Luke records Peter seeing the face of Jesus, and being appalled (as depicted in the painting above). Peter had just disowned Jesus the third time, and we’re told Jesus looked at Peter (Luke 22:61). Peter looked away. And wept. For like us all, he had abandoned his friend and lord, to leave Jesus to go to the cross alone, and to do what only Jesus could do.
Hearing this story in the news again reminded me of a moving sermon by Peter Jensen at Moore College chapel in 2001 – listen here, and be moved again by the God who is love, who we meet by faith in the face of Jesus Christ. (My comments in this post are inspired by Archbishop Jensen’s sermon).
Dave
PS, If you know the artist responsible for the above painting, please let me know.
