Pastor Ken
An old classmate shared a photo of everyday objects with our social group, asking if anyone could see “Jesus” within them. This phenomenon, known as pareidolia, occurs when people use their imagination to perceive human faces or animal shapes in random items. Reports claim that people see Jesus’s image in various objects such as toast, coffee cream, stones, boards, candies, tree trunks, walls, and clouds. The image, featuring long hair and a beard, resembles the Jesus portrayed by famous European painters of the 17th century. While most people find it amusing and laugh it off, a few see it as an appearance of Jesus or reflect on the significance of such phenomena.
No historical records or artifacts provide a definitive depiction of Jesus’s appearance. In the 17th century, European realist painters, influenced by the church, often drew upon biblical narratives for their artwork. The resulting images of Jesus were largely based on contemporary European aesthetics and imagination, typically portraying him with features such as a tall nose and blue eyes.
Regarding statues, the church has always been mindful of the Ten Commandments’ prohibition against creating “idols” that represent God. Nevertheless, during the feudal era, education was a privilege reserved for the nobility. Common people were largely illiterate and often misunderstood Biblical narratives. To educate them, the church employed paintings, stained glass, mosaics, and over time, statues to depict key characters and events, making it easier for folks to differentiate figures like Jesus and Peter. However, in the 11th century, a disagreement arose between the Greek-speaking Eastern church and the Latin-speaking Western church over the use of such images. Ultimately, the Western church retained three-dimensional statues, while the Eastern church accepted only two-dimensional icons.
Recently, I traveled to Peru and visited a small church in Machu Picchu City. Inside, there’s a unique crucifix of Jesus depicted with dark skin, wearing a skirt. The tour guide explained that during the colonial era, the Spanish church consciously portrayed Jesus with characteristics similar to the local Inca people’s appearance and dress. This was a deliberate effort to break down racial barriers, making it easier for the Incas to relate to and accept Jesus’s teachings.
Focusing on the messages conveyed by statues is akin to engaging with modern animations and models; both serve as forms of media. Their ultimate purpose is to communicate messages. Once we internalize the message and welcome the real Jesus into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, the medium itself becomes secondary. Statues, being made of earthly materials, are inherently temporary and cannot endure indefinitely. Regardless of how realistic they appear, their damage or destruction has no bearing on our faith.
However, if you think a certain statue of Jesus or a saint somewhere can emit special power, and praying in front of that statue will make your wishes come true, it becomes “idolatry” as the Bible calls it, replacing God the Creator with created things. From this perspective, if we think holding a certain Bible or a small cross in our hand, we can persuade God to grant our prayers, we are making the same mistake.
True Christian faith emphasizes communicating with God in our spirit, knowing Him, loving Him, and living a God-centered life. If we are self-centered and ask God to satisfy our desires and grant us what we want, worship and prayer will become merely religious activities.
