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"Father, I desire that they also, whom Thou hast given Me, be with Me where I am, in order that they may behold My glory, which Thou hast given Me."
John 17:24
Among the few descriptions of Jesus Christ that have survived the centuries is one attributed to the governor of Judea, Publius Lentulus, who, in A.D. 32, wrote the following:
"There lives at this time in Judea a man of singular virtue, whose name is Jesus Christ, whom the barbarians esteem as a prophet....He is a tall man, well-shaped, and of amenable and reverent aspect; He has a hair of a color that can hardly be matched, falling into graceful curls, waving about and very agreeably couching about his shoulders, parted on the crown of his head, running as a stream to the front after the fashion of the Nazarites. His forehead is high, large and imposing; his cheeks without spot or wrinkle, beautiful with a lovely read; his nose and mouth formed with exquisite symmetry; His beard of a color suitable to his hair, reaching below his chin and parted in the middle like a fork; His eyes, bright blue, clear and serene, look innocent, dignified, manly and mature."
The question is Can we believe this description is authentic? As much as scholars would like to accept it as genuine, it is generally believed to have been brought to the Vatican about the ninth century at a period of time when religious relics were at their peak.
In the gospels, is a great deal of information about Christ, yet there is no actual description of what Jesus looked like. Why? Apparently God wanted us to realize that what Jesus did is far more important than what He looked like (see Phil. 2:5-11).
No artists' renditions of our Savior exist, but the world will never escape the fact that Jesus was born of a virgin, crucified and rose again. When all is said and done, what Jesus did will forever be more important than what He looked like (see Col. 1:12-22).
Source: Today can be Different by Dr. Harold J. Sala.
And Simon Peter answered and said, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God." Matthew 16:16
Who is this Jesus? Who is this one called the Christ? Napoleon called Him "the Emperor of Love." Theologian and philosopher David Strauss called Him "The highest model of religion." Philosopher John Stuart Mill called Him "the Guide of Humanity." Linguist and historian Joseph Ernest Renan said that Christ was the "greatest among the sons of men." John the Baptist called Him "the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world" (John 1:29).
Christ asked those closest to Him, "Whom do men say that I am?" The disciples answered, "Some say that you are John the Baptist, or Elijah or Jeremiah or one of the prophets." Then Christ must have turned and looked directly into their faces as He asked the question personally: "But who do you say that I am?" Peter answered "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the Living God" (see Matt. 16:15,16).
You can personally experience Christ in your life - not as an historical personage, but as a living Savior who wants to indwell in your heart. Whom do you say that He is?
Source: Today can be Different by Dr. Harold J. Sala.