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