Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” ~ John 20:29
Arising from a non-reformed background and being suddenly immersed into that realm, there are a motley crew of wrestling opponents to inevitably engage. As we are initiated, we experience great “Biblical tension”1 in our hearts and minds which demands of us an answer of conviction. This is not new — it has gone on since the days of the Reformation itself. After the light of God’s Word shined on the profound darkness of corrupted worship, Calvin offered his heart to God sincerely and speedily.2 He, and countless others since, desire for God’s Word to speak for itself.
Some consider the doctrine of limited (or definite) atonement to be a notable challenge initially. Others struggle with grasping onto covenant theology. Many wrestle hard with an understanding of the Lord’s Day. Still yet, an often larger hurdle to overcome is learning all over again about the sacraments of the Lord’s Supper and Baptism. All of these are certainly intimidating in their own right, but there is one reformed wrestling opponent that is, for many, left to wait as the “final boss.”
Like so many, I was raised up from childhood as a Christian subconsciously trained over decades to be able to, as if by a reflex, visualize Jesus’ appearance in my head. A slew of culprits were involved: Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper”, a plethora of Nativity scenes at Christmas, stained glass windows, multiple Jesus movies and other videos, pictures of Jesus behind the projected text we sang to at worship services, storybooks for children, Good News Club, VBS, Awanas, puppets, Royal Ambassadors, Sunday School, Children’s Church, church nursery, and the list could go on.
We live in a media-saturated age, and the Church has witnessed this threat pop up its ugly head throughout its history. While many protestants can easily accept that images should not portray the Father (say, as an old man) or the Holy Spirit (say, as a dove) — since both are clearly defined as invisible and spirit — it is, without a doubt, the inclusion of our incarnate Jesus where large crowds, even within reformed circles, take up pitchforks and torches to object. My purpose in this article is not to lay out an exhaustive listing of reasons (others have done so) for Jesus’ inclusion within the purview of observing the second commandment, but rather to ask some important questions which may sharpen and spur you on (as they did for me) to stand up to this last opponent in the wrestling ring.
The cross must be central. The preaching of the Word must always point us clearly to behold the Lamb. So, when I visually see crosses in this world as a pilgrim, do they remind me and stir me up to be with Him where He is? Would I rather see it as empty and the task finished or obscured by a permanently-fixed crucifix who never leaves that cross? Can that crucifix (or Jesus movie) accurately portray the total passive obedience of our Substitute as He felt not only physical brutality but also bore upon His shoulders the horrendous, unfathomable weight of the deserved wrath of His sheep? Can it capture how with each movement of torn muscle fibers to be able to inspire and expire breaths of agony, He was breathing out in acute awareness of His bride and His Father’s gift? Can it accurately portray the mysterious gravity of what Jesus sensed as He cried, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Am I satisfied with an empty tomb and a risen Christ in a glorified body we cannot comprehend and yet look forward to? Can any gifted artist do Christ justice as they aim to capture Him, whether at the depths of humiliation or the height of glory? Am I satisfied with the means — the visible signs — God has definitively prescribed in His Word to see the Son, by faith? When I remember the waters of my baptism and come to the Lord’s Table, can I see all of God’s promises answered in Jesus, by faith? Do I desire to wait to see Him as He is? Am I ready for that pinnacle, for that end of the race, for that beatific vision and experience of the Aaronic blessing in fullest measure? Until then, we must realize anything else falls utterly short. Dear brothers and sisters, let us humbly accept the guardrails God has wisely put in His Word for His glory and our good, and wait with patience for our blessed hope!
“Because when I get to heaven, the first face that shall ever gladden my sight will be that of my Savior.”
Fanny Crosby, prolific hymn writer blind since infancy
- “Biblical tension” is when one’s eyes are opened to the whole witness of Scripture speaking clearly on a topic and yet one’s knee is not yet prepared to bow and believe the truth that’s been seen.
- Calvin’s personal seal — applied to his letters — included his personal motto which was “Promptly and sincerely” and included a picture of a heart offered up with two hands.
