Jesus was many things, but one thing we can all agree on, is that he was, and still is, a big deal. 2000 years later, we are still processing what he had to say. It has resulted in all sorts of moral innovations. It has resulted in all sorts of fanaticism and violence. And correspondingly, we have made many artistic depictions of him. Such as:
And:
And:
These definitely pick up on a most curious omission in the Gospels: not once is Jesus said to have been smiling or laughing. It would seem he was acutely aware of the tremendous burden he was carrying. But these and all paintings of Jesus likewise omit something major.
Jesus, The Raver
“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”
The Jews who heard these words were again divided. Many of them said, “He is demon-possessed and raving mad. Why listen to him?”
And:
Again the high priest asked him, ‘Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?’ I am,' said Jesus. ‘And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.’ The high priest tore his clothes. ‘Why do we need any more witnesses?’ he asked. You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?' They all condemned him as worthy of death. Then some began to spit at him; they blindfolded him, struck him with their fists, and said, 'Prophesy!’ And the guards took him and beat him.
Jesus, the Raver. Jesus, the Blasphemer. We have never seen this Jesus. We have never seen Jesus. As it is, there is one depiction that may capture this facet of Jesus. It is a cartoon:
We can definitely see how that Jesus could come across as raving. But it is but a cartoon.
There is, however, one painting that does capture this aspect of Jesus. It is not of Jesus, and yet:
And a closeup:
Jesus did not have resentment. Resentment is demonic. But the intensity in that gaze? Jesus matched it, or exceeded it.
What does this mean?
Don’t Be A Pharisee
We want to forget that Jesus got called a blasphemer, that he got called a demon-posessed madman. We want to believe he was fundamentally reasonable, the most reasonable man who ever lived. That he colored inside the lines.
But coloring inside the lines does not get you crucified.
The Pharisees, the custodians of the Law, could not comprehend Jesus. Jesus said his doctrine was the essence of the Law. But the Pharisees could only see the letter of the Law. Only the surface, and not the heart.
And when confronted with the heart?
They saw demons. They saw madness. They saw blasphemy.
Why?
They thought rules could express God’s will. That debate could clarify God’s thought.
Jesus showed that this is a lie.
Religion is not reasonable. Spirituality is not a series of rules. The highest truths cannot be set down in words.
And if you believe that they are? That words can describe God and His will?
Then you think like a Pharisee. And that means you would have crucified Jesus.
God cannot be contained by words. God cannot be contained by rules. And if you want to understand God?
You have to give up on words. You have to give up on rules.
Silence is the voice of God. It has much to say. Will you listen?
You are 100% right that traditional religious imagery presents a pretty curated and partial picture of the Jesus in the actual Bible.
Hmm, I think one must trust the unfolding of history. If each can make their own Jesus then he is meaningless. Institutions are the reason we know his name and not the others. Nevertheless as far as seeing Jesus take a look at the Shroud of Turin, and the modern science on it; the carbon dating of 1988 has been thrown out as bunk.