Hi Joe, my dear brother,
Thanks for sharing your wonderful insight, once again. Rene & Kat, thanks too for sharing :)
By no means am I suggesting that Jesus was a Hollywood type. :D
But then I reject the idea that he was downtrodden, with sad broken eyes as many modern day pictures dipict him.
Could Christ have had physical ailments? Most surely, but did he hide his face like many men would. (Isaiah 53:3)
I truly do not believe so. There was something about Christ the man that attracted people, even children, other than his appearance. It could not have been his "puffed up, go get em' attitude" because his heart was not boastful nore flamboyant. His heart was meek and lowly.
Mat 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek (gentle, mild) and lowly (humble) in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
So what was it about him? Well my answer is only conjecture, yet I am sure that there was something about Christ that transcended his dress, appearance and or physical condition. I would think that he would have had the most captivating eyes of any man that ever walked, I am sure that they would have been bright with truth and love. Could it have been his eyes that offended the Pharisee and "their" followers; perhaps because they could "see" the simple truth of his words.
Perhaps it was his eyes that held the attention of the children.
Mat 19:13 Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put [his] hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them.
Mat 19:14 But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.
However, the reference to the children is more inline to their childhood innocence and playful nature than the "self-righteous, all-knowing and unforgiving" nature of all to many men and women. :)
1Pe 3:8 Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble.
9 Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.
“10 For, Whoever would love life
and see good days
must keep his tongue from evil
and his lips from deceitful speech.
11 He must turn from evil and do good;
he must seek peace and pursue it.
12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous
and his ears are attentive to their prayer,
but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”
There has been a lot of interest in the 'Brother' in scripture thread and I think this topic fits like a glove.
Mat 5:5 Blessed [are] the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
If any is to be a brother or sister with Christ, having a meek and lowly heart for one another is not an option, but rather a prerequisite. :)
Thank you again Joe for your wonderful, yet gentle insight.
Your brother in Christ,
Darren