Why yes, That's My Brother... Would You Like To Meet Him?

I recently wrote a Blog on this topic but it keeps resurfacing consistently each few days or so. There seems to be a LARGE group of people who condemn any display of the "likeness" of Jesus based on Exodus 20:4-

"4 Do not make an idol for yourself, whether in the shape of anything in the heavens above or on the earth below or in the waters under the earth." -HCSB

I don't intend to create a debate here, but isn't any picture of [person, place, or thing] also an image of "...anyting that is on the earth..." (-Ex 20:4). Let me also say here that my profile picture is not a picture of Jesus, per se, but an artistist's perception of Jesus as a european/caucasion (Jesus is a Jew after all). Now, I repsect the fact that those who oppose pictures of the similtude of Jesus are fervent for obeying God; but Exodus 20:4 is prohibiting the WORSHIP/IDOLATRY of these images not (moral) artistic creativity and/or expression. If you study the original language (Aramaic/Hebrew) of this Scripture text then it will be obvious to anyone that the context is about idolatry. I recommend a free resource called eSword for anyone wishing to deepen their understanding of God's Word. Find out more about eSword at www. e-sword.net.

A family photo is an image of "anything that is on the earth" as well...( or a picture of a building, etc. for that matter). Scripture teaches that Jesus is the Firstborn of many brethren(Rom 8:29). Jesus is yours and mine family. Any photo I have on display of the "likeness" of Jesus is a statement, "This is my Brother, my Friend, my Saviour, MY LORD... and I am not ashamed for anyone to know it!"

Have any of you ever had a guest over who spotted a family picture and responded to the effect of, "So you're kin with "such and such?" Well, that's the same idea of having a picture of Jesus on display... "Why yes, I'm a child of God and this is my Brother, my Friend, my Saviour, MY LORD... my Everything. Would you like to meet Him?"

If anyone is uncomfortable with the display of a portrait of Jesus, I respect that. But you have no grounds for condemning others who do display portraits of Jesus... you should respect us as much as you would like to be respected yourself. Salvation is not decided upon whether one has a portrait of Jesus on display on your wall/profile, in your home or office, etc... but whether Jesus is on display in all you say, do, and think(1 John 2:3-6).

**If any is interested in further reading on this topic then I invite you to read my other Note/Blog "Thou Shalt Not Have A Family Portrait On Display?!":
http://forjesusministry.blogspot.com/2010/09/thou-shalt-not-have-family-portrait-on.html

Thou Shalt Not Have A Family Portrait On Display?!

By some people's interpretation, all "avatars"; even though it be a picture of a building as opposed to a "similitude" of Jesus; still would fall within the prohibition of Exodus 20 (cf.Ex 20:4 ...OR THAT IS ON EARTH...). Here is my comment left on a blog where I addressed the notion that having a picture of a "like-ness" of Jesus is breaking the commandment in Exodus chapter 20--
Exo 20:4

Thou shalt not(H3808) make(H6213) unto thee any graven image,(H6459) or any(H3605) likeness(H8544) of any thing that(H834)is in heaven(H8064) above,(H4480) (H4605) or that(H834)is in the earth(H776) beneath,(H4480) (H8478) or that(H834)is in the water(H4325) under(H4480) (H8478) the earth:(H776)

Also, for further study, here is the original Hebrew/Aramaic text of Exodus 20:4 with Strong's numbering included for reference:
(Exo 20:4)

לאH3808 תעשׂהH6213 לך פסלH6459 וכלH3605 תמונהH8544 אשׁרH834 בשׁמיםH8064 ממעלH4605 ואשׁרH834 בארץH776 מתחתH8478 ואשׁרH834 במיםH4325 מתחתH8478 לארץ׃H776

Notice that there are no commas in the original texts; commas were added by translators. Also, the word "or" between "graven image" and "likeness of anything" does not exist; "or" was also inserted by translators for "clarification." Using Biblical hermeneutics; one accurate rendering of Exodus 20:4 could read like this: Never take unto yourselves anything that is made into the image of things in the sky nor on or beneath the earth nor in the waters to worship it.

Some cults (and well meaning people not associated with cults) suggest that having a picture of the resemblance of Jesus on display is breaking the commandment in Exodus 20:4. This command in Ex 20:4 is against the WORSHIPPING of an object (idolatry); it does not speak against artistic expession[within the bounds of decency and morality] or having a "family picture" of our Lord and Brother(Rom 8:29 ; John 1:12), Jesus Christ, hanging in a livingroom or displayed elsewhere.

--Romans 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn AMONG MANY BRETHREN.
--John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to BECOME THE SONS OF GOD, even to them that believe on his name.

Some also take issue of "ethnic" resemblances of Jesus stating that Jesus was a Jew. I am sure all believers in Jesus Christ know that Jesus is a Jew. Ethnic resemblances of Jesus are artistic expressions of the fact that as Christians, Jesus is in each one of us; it is not meant as, nor should it be taken as, disrespect.