MODERN IMAGES OF JESUS 

It is difficult to find any images of the adolescent or adult Jesus in Nazareth, probably because people are uncomfortable with the event that happened there:  the rejection of Jesus by the townspeople of Nazareth.

 
This is probably because they have an image of Jesus as serene, loved by the people who knew him, and admired by his friends and neighbors.

This was not so. Jesus seems to have been challenging, even controversial, to the people around him. It was not just the 'evil' people in Jerusalem who disliked him. He seems to have been detested to the point of violence by some of the townspeople of Nazareth.

Hence the scarcity of modern paintings or images that show him in Nazareth.

Modern films also show a Jesus who is wise, strong, unflinchingly courageous:

Two stills from Mel Gibson's 'The Passion of the Christ'

For images and reviews of 'The Passion of the Christ' and other films listed below, go to Top Ten Bible Films

Some other images of Christ:

 In 'Ben Hur', Christ's figure is shown, but not his face

 In 'The Gospel According to Matthew',
Pasolini's Christ is short, energetic, dynamic

 'The Greatest Story Ever Told' has Christ as an other-worldly
figure part human, part divine

'Jesus of Montreal' partly succeeds in portraying
a Jesus who is integrated with the modern world 

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The photographer Michael Belk has departed from tradition by showing a Jesus who laughs, who apparently sees the funny side of life (see 'Our Daily Bread' below).

This is a major innovation, and a welcome one. Try to think of past paintings or images that show Jesus laughing - they are rare, if they exist at all.

Michael Belk, 'Journeys with the Messiah'
'The Second Mile' 

Michael Belk, 'Journeys with the Messiah'
'Our Daily Bread'

Michael Belk, 'Journeys with the Messiah'
'Gone Astray' 

Prints of these three photographs are available at
Michael Belk's website: Journeys with the Messiah

   Go back to JESUS IN NAZARETH