Pictures of Jesus

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Short Summary
The discourse invites readers to imagine various portraits of Jesus, not by physical appearance but through his roles as Savior, Teacher, Shepherd, and Captain of salvation, each reflecting different personal needs and relationships with Him. It emphasizes that Jesus meets diverse spiritual needs—offering salvation, wisdom, love, and leadership—and culminates with a vision of encountering Jesus “as He is” in a divine presence, prompting reflection on one’s response to God’s ultimate reality.

Long Summary
Detailed Summary of the Discourse: “Pictures of Jesus”

Introduction:
– The discourse explores the concept of visualizing Jesus, not by His physical appearance (which the Bible does not describe), but by His character and various roles as depicted in Scripture.
– The listener is invited to imagine an art museum exhibit titled “Pictures of Jesus,” filled with framed depictions representing Jesus in different biblical roles.

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### 1. Jesus, Savior of the World
Frame Description: Solid copper frame—strong, sturdy, symbolizing perfect human nature (referencing copper in tabernacle types).
Scriptural References:
– *Luke 2:11* – “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.”
– *John 4:42* – Samaritans affirm Jesus as “Christ, the Savior of the world.”
Imagery and Reflection:
– Rather than literal scenes (baby in manger or woman at the well), the listener is urged to visualize a personal, unique picture of Jesus as Savior—perhaps healing, crucifixion, or a personal encounter.
– Emphasizes the individual’s relationship with Jesus as Savior, addressing different personal needs: salvation from eternal torment, sin, death, and estrangement from God.
– Highlights the desire to be “right with God” and calls Jesus as the only way to the Father (John 14:6 inferred).
– Personal application: envision oneself raised from a fallen state to justified standing before Jesus.

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### 2. Jesus, Rabbi (Master Teacher)
Frame Description: Polished silver frame with sharp edges like a sword, representing truth and the Word of God.
Scriptural References:
– *John 1:38* – Disciples calling Jesus “Rabbi” or Master.
– *John 20:15-16* – Mary Magdalene calls resurrected Jesus “Rabboni” (Master).
Imagery and Reflection:
– Jewish rabbis were skilled teachers attracting followers seeking knowledge.
– The speaker shares a personal image: Jesus teaching a small group on a grassy hillside, revealing deeper truths of parables.
– Emphasizes the role of Jesus as fountain of wisdom, answering deep questions about life, death, and resurrection.
– Quote from Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8:31): “How can I understand unless some man should guide me?”
– Personal testimony of being drawn to Jesus as a teacher and the importance of mature Bible education.
– *Matthew 11:28* invoked: “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
– Encourages imagining oneself as an attentive student of Jesus.

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### 3. Jesus, the Good Shepherd
Frame Description: Made of acacia wood rods wrapped in thick woolen cloth, shaped like a shepherd’s rod and staff.
Scriptural References:
– *John 10:14* – “I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.”
– *John 10:27* – “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.”
Imagery and Reflection:
– Focus on Jesus’ love and watchful care as a shepherd.
– This image appeals especially to those who have lacked love in their lives (e.g., dysfunctional families or loveless situations).
– Jesus’ agape love fills the void for those who come to Him.
– Personal application: see oneself as part of Jesus’ beloved flock.

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### 4. Jesus, Captain of Our Salvation
Frame Description: Composite of leather, wood, and metal, resembling a soldier’s armor and shield.
Scriptural Reference:
– *Hebrews 2:10* – Jesus as the captain who brings many sons to glory through suffering.
Imagery and Reflection:
– Jesus as military leader in the spiritual battle against the world, flesh, and devil.
– Referenced *2 Timothy 2:3*: “Endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.”
– *2 Corinthians 10:3-4* cited: “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh… mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds.”
– The need addressed: desire for strong leadership, guidance, discipline, and direction.
– Emphasizes obedience to the Captain’s orders determined through a combination of prayer, Scripture, and providential circumstances.
– Quote from Brother Russell on seeking God’s will through heart submission, Scripture, Spirit, prayer, and reflection.
– Personal application: Jesus as the trusted leader guiding life decisions.

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### 5. Other Titles and Images of Jesus
– Brief mention of additional pictures seen in the gallery:
– Jesus the Advocate
– Jesus the Bridegroom
– Jesus the High Priest
– Jesus as the Lamb of God
– Symbolic images: the Vine, the Door, the Chief Cornerstone, and others.

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### 6. Final Picture: Jesus As He Is
Frame Description: Majestic solid gold, elaborately engraved, larger than all others.
Scriptural Reference:
– *1 John 3:1-2* – “Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us… Beloved, now are we the sons of God… we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.”
Imagery and Reflection:
– The picture is blank because human imagination cannot fully capture the divine glory of Jesus as He truly is.
– Embodiment of all previous images together.
– A small white stone on a nearby table with a personalized inscription relating to the believer’s walk.

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### 7. Closing Imaginative Reflection: Encounter with Jesus and God
– Imagining the believer’s transformation into a spiritual body, reunion with loved ones, and embrace by Jesus.
– Jesus calls the believer to come with Him, passing angels (one reveals they were the believer’s guardian).
– Entering the presence of Jehovah God.
– Final question posed:
– What will you do in that moment?
– Will you kneel, stand, bow, or embrace your Father?
– Encourages deep personal reflection on one’s response to the divine encounter.

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Summary of Key Themes:
– Jesus’ identity is multifaceted: Savior, Teacher, Shepherd, Captain, Advocate, and more.
– Each role fulfills different human needs: salvation, knowledge, love, leadership.
– Personal relationship and imaginative engagement with Jesus’ roles enrich faith.
– The ultimate vision of Jesus transcends human imagination, pointing to His divine glory.
– The discourse calls for personal reflection on faith, commitment, and readiness for the final encounter with Jesus and God.

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Selected Bible Verses Quoted:
– Luke 2:11
– John 4:42
– John 1:38
– John 20:15-16
– John 10:14, 27
– Hebrews 2:10
– 2 Timothy 2:3
– 2 Corinthians 10:3-4
– Matthew 11:28
– 1 John 3:1-2

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This discourse uses vivid imagery and scriptural references to deepen understanding of Jesus’ character and encourages personal reflection on one’s relationship with Him.

Transcript

Our subject is pictures of Jesus. What do you imagine Jesus looked like? Unfortunately, the Bible doesn’t give us any physical description of Jesus to help our imaginations. Today I’m not going to ask you to imagine Jesus height or his looks, his physical appearance, but rather to imagine his character or personality, for which we do find quite a bit of help in the Scriptures. I’ll describe a series of Jesus roles found in the Bible, and as I go through them, see with your mind’s eye action pictures of Jesus in his various roles.

Let’s begin by imagining that we’re on a group tour approaching the entrance of an art museum. The sign above the door says Special Exhibit Pictures of Jesus. We enter the gallery. It’s large and well lit. The temperature is comfortable.

The air is fresh and pure and has a light, lovely scent. There are upholstered benches in the middle of the room to sit on and enjoy the pictures in a leisurely manner. Other people are here, but the room is quiet. Everyone is respecting the peacefulness of the space. We gather around the first picture.

The frame is made of solid copper, textured, strong and sturdy. It conveys the the sense of value of merit and reminds you of the use of copper in the tabernacle types to picture perfect human nature. I imagined it to look something like this. Next to the frame is a small plaque on the wall with the title of the work, and it says Jesus, Savior of the World. Below the title are two scripture citations, Luke 2:11 and John 4:42.

I’ll read them. For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a savior which is Christ the lord in John 4:42, which was spoken by Samaritans to the woman at the well, who talked with Jesus two days earlier and said unto the woman, now we believe not because of thy saying, for we have heard him ourselves and know that this is indeed Christ the Savior of the world.

Now you turn your attention to the picture in the frame. You might expect it to be an artist’s rendering of either of those two scriptural accounts. Baby Jesus lying in a manger, or the woman at the well. But what does it show in your imagination? What do you see within that copper frame?

What action picture comes to your mind when you think of Jesus in his role as the Savior of mankind? Is it a picture you’ve seen before, Jesus healing the sick, raising the dead, or his agony on the cross? Or is it a picture unique to you and your relationship with Jesus as your personal savior? An image so personal that it’s not taken from any account of Scripture. Perhaps no artist has ever drawn the picture you see in your mind’s eye as Jesus in his role as your personal Savior and your relationship with Him.

Perhaps you even see yourself also in this picture, standing beside your Savior.

I have a theory that whoever is drawn to Jesus as their Savior does so to satisfy a deep personal need of one sort or another to fill a void in their lives, and it is not the same need or void in everyone who seeks a relationship with Jesus as their Savior. Those who appreciate Jesus as their personal individual Savior recognize deeply their need to be saved. But saved from what? For those who don’t understand the truth of God’s plan, it is salvation from eternal torment.

But for those whose eyes have been opened, it is salvation from our own sinful selves, salvation from our own undone condition, salvation from the penalty of death that came upon Adam and all mankind after he disobeyed in the Garden of Eden, salvation from estrangement from God. Such have an aching desire to be right with God, to be acceptable to and approved by him, to be saved from their sinful condition of which they are painfully aware and and unable to escape. To be able to call him Abba Father, to not be cast out from him, away from his favor and the way the truth and the life to this condition of being right with God. Is Jesus the Savior of the world and our own personal Savior. No one comes to the Father but by Him.

But such who have can say to themselves, jesus died for the sins of the world, and he died for my sins.

Do you see yourself in this picture, raised from your fallen, undone condition to stand up in reckoned justification before your Savior?

Well, in my imagination of our group tour, there’s a crowd building behind us, patiently waiting for us to move along so they can get a closer look at this first picture of Jesus. So let’s move on. We come to the second picture of Jesus, and once again we first notice the frame. It is made of highly polished silver, simple and sleek with clean lines, strong and utilitarian. As you look more closely, you notice that the edges of the frame are sharp like a silver sword.

So sharp that if you handled this frame carelessly or unskillfully, you might cut yourself. It reminds you of silver used in the Scriptures to represent truth and a sword to represent the word of God.

There’s a small title plaque on the wall next to the frame and it reads, Jesus Rabbi, and in parentheses, Master teacher. There are two scripture citations on the title plaque, John 1:38 and John 20:15 and 16. I’ll read them both. John 1:38 takes place the day after John the Baptist baptized Jesus, when two of John’s disciples left him to follow Jesus.

Then Jesus turned and saw them following and saith unto them, what seek ye? They said unto him, rabbi, which is the same being interpreted, Master, where dwellest thou? The second scripture, perhaps more familiar, John 20:15 and 16 take place when Jesus, after his resurrection, found Mary weeping at the sepulchre.

Jesus saith unto her, woman, why weepest thou? Who seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, sir, if thou have borne him hence to tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away. Jesus saith unto her, mary, she turned herself and saith unto him, Rabboni, which is to say, master.

Jewish rabbis have always been skilled and knowledgeable teachers. As such, they often attracted followers who seeking knowledge and wisdom long before we had Google and Wikipedia, learn from other men, those men they respected as their masters and teachers. As the Ethiopian eunuch reading the prophecy of Isaiah, answered Philip, who asked, do you understand what thou readest? He said, how can I understand unless some man teach me?

The picture in the frame is once again whatever you imagine it to be, whatever action picture you have in your mind of Jesus as your master and your teacher of truth. This picture of Jesus is my personal favorite, so I’ll share with you my imaginary picture of Jesus as my rabbi or teacher. It shows Jesus standing on a grassy hillside, speaking to a small group of his disciples seated around him, their eyes shut, fixed on him with undivided attention as they listened to the explanation of the parables which he had previously spoken to larger crowds, the explanation of the deeper truths hidden in the parables that the larger crowds could not understand. But now he has revealed those deeper truths to his closest followers. One of the followers in the picture is me.

I see myself in this picture, sitting on the grassy hillside, listening to my master and teacher.

I said before that I have a theory that people who are drawn to Jesus for various reasons, depending on their personal needs. I was drawn to Jesus as my personal teacher who provided the answers to all my questions about mankind, about myself. Where did we come from? Why do we die? Is there life after death?

Now, growing up as a Bible student, I had been taught all the simple answers, true answers to all of these questions in the Bible stories that the wonderful teachers of the Bible classes, the faithful sisters and brothers who taught me, had had me learn, and I am so grateful to them. But as a teenager, as I approached adulthood, I needed more. Thankfully, our ecclesia back then was blessed with gifted elders who related to the young people and provided advanced education in the truth. So I picked their brains whenever I could.

I attended adult studies on my own and began my journey into the truth of the harvest message. As the Ethiopian eunuch said, how can I joe understand unless some man should guide me? And I am so grateful to all of my teachers and mentors that I have tried to pass it on, to pay it forward to the later generations of teenagers and young adults among us ever since.

Perhaps some of you were likewise drawn to Jesus as the fountain of all wisdom, the teacher of the polished silver of truth, a two edged sword which could provide the answers to all your questions about life and death and the present evil world that weighed so heavily on your mind that you could not rest, as I could not rest and find peace until I knew the truth, and to those of us Jesus said in Matthew 11:28, Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Do you see yourself in this picture as an attentive student of the greatest teacher of truth who ever lived?

We move along to the next picture in our imaginary gallery. The frame is rather unusual. Unlike the others, it is not made of metal but of wood. Round rods of acacia wood partially covered with cloth. Not a fine cloth like silk or linen, but a thick soft cloth like unprocessed wool.

The rods curve into a shape like a hook which holds the frame onto pegs protruding from the wall, and your mind immediately thinks of a shepherd’s rod and staff. The title plaque on the wall next to the picture reads Jesus the Good Shepherd. There are two scripture citations on the plaque, John 10:14 and John 10:27. I’ll read them. I am the good shepherd and know my sheep, and am known of mine.

My sheep hear my voice, I know them and they follow me. Many artists have created their impressions of Jesus as the Good Shepherd. You’ve no doubt seen many of them drawn from their artists imaginations. But how do you picture Jesus in his role as your good Shepherd? The two most prominent qualities of any good shepherd are his love for his sheep and his watchful care over them.

Jesus in his role as our good shepherd, of course provides us with abundant love and watchful care which bring us great comfort and peace of mind.

Getting back to the theory I talked about before, what might be the deeply felt needed on the part of those for whom this picture is their favorite? For those who were drawn to Jesus as their good Shepherd.

I think that those who are drawn to Jesus because of his well known love for all God’s children have not felt enough love in their lives.

The need to be loved is as essential a part of life as is the need for food and water. There are many in this world, and some even among the brethren, who were brought up in the home of a dysfunctional family, in a home devoid of parental or brotherly love. There are many in the world, and even some among the brethren, who feel that they are trapped in a loveless marriage. These from whom natural filial love was or is withheld, find their needs satisfied in the agape love freely given to them by our Good shepherd, and for those the void in their hearts and lives is filled for those who come to Jesus to receive his loving, tender care.

This picture of Jesus as a good shepherd is the most treasured. Do you see yourself in this picture as one of the Good Shepherd’s beloved flock of sheep?

We move on in our imaginary gallery to the next picture of Jesus. The frame is somewhat strange. It is a composite of several materials. There is leather and wood and metal, all neatly fitted together into a sturdy, coherent whole. The texture is not uniform.

It’s uneven rough wood and bulky rough leather in different parts of the frame, and it reminds you of an ancient soldier’s uniform and weapons, leather, armor and a wooden shield. You think of reaching out your hand to touch this unusual frame and its surface variations, but you notice the watchful eye of a gallery usher not too far away.

The nameplate next to the frame reads Jesus, Captain of our salvation. The scripture citation is Hebrews 2:10 for it became him for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through suffering.

The title of captain suggests a military appearance to our imaginations, and so we quickly think of Jesus and ourselves in this picture, wearing the armor of God, engaged in the battle of the new creature against our three great enemies, the world, the flesh, and the devil.

As soldiers we have enlisted for life, and are exhorted in the words of 2 Timothy 2, 3 Thou therefore endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. This battle is not literal, but rather spiritual, as 2 Corinthians 2, 3:4 puts it, for though we walk in the flesh, we do not war in the flesh for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds.

I said before that I have a theory that people who are drawn to Jesus are drawn for various reasons, depending on their deep personal needs.

What deep personal need might draw someone to Jesus as the captain of their salvation?

The military is rightfully noted for its order, discipline, and strong leadership in times of battle. Perhaps those who are drawn to Jesus as the captain of their salvation desire a leader to follow. A trustworthy leader, competent leader of unimpeachable character, someone who will lead them according to fixed principles of truth and righteousness. A leader whose orders they would gladly obey and follow into the fiercest battle. A leader unlike any of the inferior leaders of the corporate or political world today.

Such a leader would give guidance to the soldiers under his command. With such guidance, decisions from the smallest matters to the more weightier issues of life would become easy. His will would become their will. Once the will of their captain was discerned, the matter would be resolved and the appropriate action taken would be apparent. But how are those orders that will communicated if the battle is not literal?

On reprint page 4468 is this gem. Thought you’ve heard it before. Brother Russell, quoting another Christian writer, says, I seek in the beginning to get my heart in such a state that it has no will of its own in regard to a given matter. Nine tenths of the difficulties are overcome when our hearts are ready to do the Lord’s will, whatever it may be. Having done this, I do not leave the result to feeling or simple impression.

If I do so, I make myself liable to a great delusion. I seek the will or Spirit of God through or in connection with the Word of God. The Spirit and the Word must be combined. If I look to the Spirit alone, without the Word, I lay myself open to great delusions. Also, if the Holy Spirit guides us at all, it will do so according to the Scriptures, and never contrary to them.

Next, I take into account providential circumstances. These often plainly indicate God’s will in connection with His Word and His Spirit. I ask God in prayer to reveal his will to me aright. Thus, by the prayer to God, the study of the Word, and reflection, I come to deliberate judgment according to the best of my knowledge and opportunity, and if my mind is thus at peace, I proceed accordingly.

Prayer and the Word of God, the good soldier’s lifeline of communication to the Captain of His salvation. For those who have a deep, deep need of structure, guidance, leadership, and direction in their lives, this picture of Jesus is the most precious.

Well in my imagination and hope in yours too. You see a gallery usher coming over to our group to tell us that the time is at hand for the exhibit to close, so we must finish our tour and leave. As we make our way to the exit, we quickly pass by many other pictures just like the ones we stop to appreciate more leisurely. We note the titles on those little plaques next to each frame. Among them are Jesus, our advocate, Jesus our bridegroom, Jesus, the high priest of our profession, Jesus as an animal, the Lamb of God, even Jesus as inanimate objects.

A vine with branches, a door, a chief cornerstone, many more.

Now we come to the exit of our imaginary gallery and it’s a little unusual. There’s a small, separately walled off room in the corner of the gallery, sort of like a foyer with a doorway into it and a sign above the doorway that says exit. The doorway is covered by a thick curtain or veil of blue, scarlet and crimson. We pass beyond the veil and enter. The first thing we notice about this room is that strangely, it is larger on the inside than it is on the outside, if you can imagine that.

And the lighting is much brighter than it was in the main gallery. We look up at the ceiling and there is no ceiling. There isn’t even a roof. We look up at a starry night above us as if we were looking through a high powered telescope, even though we know it is daytime outside of this gallery. Across the room is a wall with a single picture frame.

We walk up to it and we see a majestic frame of solid gold, much larger than all the others in the gallery and elaborately engraved with intricate patterns and words and symbols all around. The title plaque on the wall next to this frame says, Jesus as he is.

1 John 3, 1, 2.

Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us that we should be called the sons of God. Therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and yet it doth not yet appear what we shall be. But we know that when he shall appear, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.

The picture within the frame is, in my imagination, blank. I think even the best of our creativity fails us to imagine seeing genius Jesus as he is, a divine being clothed with glory, honor, and immortality. The embodiment of all the other pictures of Jesus we have ever read or seen or even imagined.

There is a small table near the picture, and on the table is a single white stone with a word or two engraved in gold. You pick it up and read the inscription, which you immediately recognize as having a personal, meaningful relevance to your Christian walk.

Here, our tour of the imaginary gallery ends. But I’ll close this discourse with a question which requires you to use your imaginations just one more time.

Imagine you have just completed your walk along the narrow way up this side of the veil. Your eyes close, and then in a twinkling, a blink, your eyes open again and you are changed into your spiritual body. You are surrounded by loved ones you knew before. There is much laughter and hugs and reminiscing and tears of joy as you recall the precious times in the past with each other.

And then your friends become quiet as someone approaches. They step aside to let our Lord Jesus Himself embrace you. You see him face to face as he is. There are no words. You lay your head on his shoulder, sink into his loving embrace as you remember all the pictures of Jesus you carried in your mind.

Jesus, your Savior, the captain of your salvation, your Teacher, Good shepherd, and many more.

Presently, he softly says, come with me. Someone is waiting to greet you.

You walk together past a row of joyful angels on each side, one of whom leans forward and says in a low voice, I was your guardian. We have much to talk about later.

Then you realize you are entering the presence of Jehovah God Himself.

Here is my question.

What will you do in that moment? Your mind races in anticipation, trying to form a picture of what is about to happen and what you will do, what you imagine will be the first thing you will do.

Will you kneel before the Creator of the universe? Will you stand motionless before the Self existing one and wait for someone to tell you what to do?

Will you bow before the architect of the Divine plan of the ages? In His Divine wisdom? Will you run up to and embrace your Abba Father?

What will you do in that moment?

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