Marie’s daily verse: But without faith, it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder to those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6). 

DAILY DEVOTION, June 26, 2024

For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant, And as a root out of dry ground. He has no form or comeliness; And when we see Him, There is no beauty that we should desire Him. (Isaiah 53:2).

The mystery of Jesus’ appearance is a topic that never ceases to intrigue us. It is a puzzle we yearn to solve. From the artistic interpretations, like Sallman’s “head of Christ,” which graces our sanctuary, to the myriad depictions in literature, the truth remains veiled. We often imagine Jesus as possessing a captivating, enchanting appearance, but the truth is, we are left with more questions than answers.

When Isaiah prophesied about the coming Messiah, he painted a portrait of humility. I don’t know if Isaiah’s words imply that Jesus was unattractive; he suggests that his appearance was not remarkable. I prefer to envision Him as rather unassuming—not exceptionally handsome, not ugly, just ordinary. It is as if God wanted us to be drawn to Him, not because of His outward appearance but because of His words and deeds.

When Samuel chose David as king of Israel, it wasn’t because of his regal appearance. Others in the family seemed more fitting. This teaches us a profound truth: ‘Man looks upon the outward appearance, but God looks upon the heart’ (1 Samuel 16:7). Similarly, we are drawn to Jesus not because Of his outward appearance but because of his heart of love. His love is what truly matters, not his physical appearance.

Dear Father, we are eternally grateful for sending Jesus into the world to save us. While we may not know much about His appearance, we are confident of His love for us, which is enough. Let us strive to reciprocate that love and serve Him with gratitude. In His name, we pray. Amen.