Curious Christian

Reflections on culture, nature, and spirituality from a Christian perspective

Imagining Jesus as High Priest

Published by

Matt Stone

2014-08-16

“Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, whom we acknowledge as our apostle and high priest.” (Hebrews 3:1)

The motif of Jesus as high priest is common enough in Christian theology but not so common in Christian art. In looking for images that could fire the Christian imagination, I came across this painting of Jesus as high priest of heaven. But unfortunately, I have not been able to identify the artist – though I suspect an American. If you have any idea, please let me know. But either way take some time to meditate on this motif of Jesus as mediator between humanity and divinity.

Tags Art, Jesus

6 responses to “Imagining Jesus as High Priest”

Taz.

2014-08-23

It’s not Jesus.
http://eternityisforever.wordpress.com/2012/08/19/jesus-what-does-he-really-look-like/
And the Bible says “Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, *or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above*, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.” Exodus 20:4-6.

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Matt Stone

2014-08-24

So, you’re against all children’s Bibles as well?
The old testament verse refers to the Father, not the Son

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Taz.

2014-08-25

I am not against Children’s Bibles.
As long as parents explain that those pictures are not Jesus, and as long as they explain to their children that they are not to worship the pictures, the Bibles are not a problem.
What I do have a problem with is the fact that you are encouraging people to meditate on this picture, which is not what Christians are supposed to do. We are not supposed to worship pictures, statues, crosses/crucifixes or whatever, and it could be idolatry if they do.
The picture isn’t even Jesus, so you are encouraging people to worship a false Jesus.

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Matt Stone

2014-08-25

If you read it more carefully you’ll see I am actually encouraging people to meditate on the motif from Hebrews 3:1. And meditation on scripture is encouraged within scripture.

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Taz.

2014-08-25

“take some time to meditate on this motif of Jesus” Your words.
I have looked around your site and, in all honesty, I find it a tad confusing. You don’t seem to have any one clear belief system at all, but dip into a range of beliefs, ie Taoism, the Tarot, Mysticism, Buddhism and the like. You also speak of God and Jesus, but what you say about them isn’t strictly biblical.
I’m just wondering where you are at with all this and how I can understand your site a bit better.

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Taz.

2014-08-25

Ok, my bad. I see what you mean there. My apologies.
But it still stands that that is a false Jesus in the picture.

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