CHRISTIAN FINE ART GALLERY > JOHN THE BAPTIST ARTWORKS SERIES > What About You, Who Do You Say I Am?
Original Artwork: $500 AUD ($400 USD), Framed, Graphite on Paper, Image size: 104 cm x 35.5 cm (41″ x 14″)
Our perceptions of Jesus are based upon the information we receive about him. We then assemble it into an image of Jesus in our minds. This image of Jesus is distinctly different from the real Jesus. This drawing exposes different false images we have of Jesus and the futility and the foolishness of interacting with them as if they were the real Jesus. We must seek the Person of Jesus, and he will reveal himself to us (See Message).
Artist’s Reflection:
“When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, ‘Who do people say the Son of Man is?’ ‘They replied, ‘Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.’ ‘But what about you?’ he asked, ‘Who do you say I am?’ ‘Simon Peter answered, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.’ ‘Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon, son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven.’” (Matthew 16:13-17)
People have many ideas about who Jesus is: a teacher, a prophet, a good man, a social activist, a humanitarian, a fairy tale character…These are peoples’ perceptions of Jesus, however, and not the true Jesus Himself.
The people in this drawing are interacting with false images that they have fabricated of Jesus. These images are based upon their faulty perceptions of him. In vain, they react in various ways to (from left to right) ‘condmening jesus’, ‘distant jesus’, ‘blessing dispenser jesus’, ‘religious and theological knowledge jesus’, ‘liberal jesus’ and ‘silly cartoon jesus’.
My purpose in doing this drawing is to expose the foolishness and the futility of trying to interact with perceptions and images we have of Jesus. These images cannot hear, see, speak or interact with us, but Jesus–who is alive today–does.
“‘Of what value is an idol, since a man has carved it? Or an image that teaches lies? For he who makes it trusts in his own creation; he makes idols that cannot speak. Woe to him who says to wood, ‘Come to life!’ Or to lifeless stone, ‘Wake up!’ Can it give guidance? It is covered with gold and silver; there is no breath in it. But the LORD is in his holy temple; let all the earth be silent before him.’” (Habakkuk 2:18-20)
Just like the disciple Simon Peter, we cannot depend on men’s erring assumptions of who Jesus is; rather, we must seek the real, true and living Jesus himself. We must ask God to give us true spiritual revelation of him instead of conjuring up a false image of who we perceive him to be.
Knowing about God is not enough, we must actually meet and know him personally.
“Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.” (John 17:3)
It is my prayer that this drawing will encourage us to seek, find and experience the real and living Jesus who promises:
“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you…” (Jeremiah 29:13-14)
To read about how God revealed himself to me and to others, see About the Artist and Salvation Testimonies
See also:
The Jesus Fabrication (John the Baptist Artworks Series)