The Colors of Christ
Growing up, “whiteness” was mostly invisible to me. I knew that I was white, that others were not, but I mostly didn’t think about race. And if I’m honest, when I did think about it, it made me really uncomfortable. I quickly retreated to “colorblindness” (choosing not to see race, and pretending race had no impact on how I treated people).
Maybe that’s why I still remember when I was shocked by “whiteness”… it was when I saw a stained glass image of a black Jesus in my 20’s. I had never seen that. I had never even contemplated the complexion of Jesus. Wasn’t Jesus white?
Perhaps you’ve seen the image, that famous one by Warner Sallman called The Head of Christ. It was widely circulated and became so prevalent in churches, bookstores, and publications that you might not only recognize it, it might be what you think of when you hear the name “Jesus”. It was what I thought of for a very long time.
Warner Sallman, ”The Head of Christ.” Warner Press, Inc
It should come as no shock to anyone that Jesus was likely not a fair skinned, blue eyed man–his birth and life in the ancient Mediterranean world suggest a very different skin tone, eye color, and hair. We might wonder if he had a more olive-toned complexion. Or could he have been even darker, blending in with those in Egypt where he fled and hid with his parents (Matthew 2:14)? We really don’t know.
Whether he was this shade or that, long-haired or short-haired, brown-eyed or green-eyed, left-handed or right, bearded or not; none of that should impact the saving, healing, liberating meaning of his life, death, and resurrection.
And yet… artists like Warner Sallman chose to depict Jesus as white. That is whiteness at work: however much he didn’t realize it (or try to realize it), he viewed the world and expected it to work a certain way–white by default. And for countless churches, including ones I grew up in and love, this picture of Jesus was embraced and unquestioned.
That’s how “whiteness” still works: as an unquestioned default that reaches further and deeper than skin tone into how the world works, what goodness looks like, and how we apply value to people and pursuits. That others might experience the world in very different ways because of their skin rises to our collective consciousness from time to time—as is happening now in the US—but “whiteness” usually remains buried in the background.
Below are some other images of Christ.
These images help me see the meaning of Christ more clearly, as the one who became and bore all of our beautiful, broken humanity. In Christ all the ways we understand and live in the world are taken up and transformed, including race.
By making race visible to us, however uncomfortable that might be for some of us, including me, Christ can invite us to learn how race works in our lives and in the lives of others, even (especially) when we don’t realize it. Rather than ignoring it, seeing how race works and what it means allows us to take steps in doing something with it, like following the one who, as Philippians 2:1-11 reminds us, laid down his life–his power, privilege, and prestige… for others.
See you Sunday,
PS – I’m recording the sermon Colors of Christ from Galatians 3:26-29 to be released online this weekend. I look forward to seeing you at Drive-In Worship on Sunday at 9:30 or 10:30 AM. It will be a brief service with prayer, communion, and song in the church parking lot. You can RSVP here.
PPS – Men’s bible study begins a new study in Revelation on Tuesdays at 9:30 AM via Zoom, starting June 16, 2020. I’m excited to share in conversation with Dr. Jeremy Paden, who is helping navigate this rich and eye-opening discussion on an intimidating, neglected and often wildly misunderstood book of the Bible. We’ll explore the surprising symbolism of beasts, dragons, horsemen and more.
Let me know if you are interested in learning more or joining in.
The Wales Window for Alabama, John Petts (1964)
Ethiopian Orthodox Icon (Mid-17th Century)
James He Qi’s ”Peace, Be Still” (1998)
“Largo do Pelourinho, Salvador,” Bahia, Brazil, 1955
via Museu de Arte de São Paulo
Unfair
It seems everyone wants to be more authentic. Jesus points to a challenging counter-intuitive path with a surprising detour through denial.
Living in Denial
Holy ground hurts. Sandals don’t stay on when you sprint. I didn’t expect actual flames.
Holy Ground Hurts
Holy ground hurts. Sandals don’t stay on when you sprint. I didn’t expect actual flames.
Jumping In
I was grateful for Acts of Reconciliation resources provided by the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). My heart is hurting and my spirit is stirred by the cries of black and brown people who are facing the crushing weight of structural racism. And not only those who are featured in television interviews and news articles, but also those I know personally: friends, colleagues, and siblings in Christ. I'm listening. I'm learning. I'm praying. I'm sitting with the [...]
What does glitter have to do with God?
This weekend is special. You might just discover what glitter has to do with God. I'm so excited for you to experience the unique gifts of the South Elkhorn youth. The online worship service is led by youth sharing their music, song, prayer, short reflections, a children's moment, communion, and more. You can tune in on Facebook at 10:30AM on Sunday, or anytime this weekend here. Their joy, hope, and creativity lifted and elevated my spirit. I suspect [...]
You might be here
You might quickly realize where you are on the graph below. Perhaps it accurately describes your own roller coaster of emotional well-being, and maybe even our wider social situation. I don't know about you, but after a period of camaraderie and shared heroic effort, I now sense and see the disillusionment growing, circulating, deepening. Perhaps that's where you are. Maybe that's what you are sensing in others, too. Click the photo to enlarge. That disillusionment [...]
Monastic Moment
"We are all monks now." That headline stopped me in my tracks. Whatever else this moment is, what if it might be our "monastic moment"? What if "healthy at home" can be more than a pandemic precaution, but an opportunity for something more. No, this isn't the shallow cheer leading that suggests we should learn a new language, master a new skill, or build something new with a zealous discipline and loads of "free time." [...]
Sunday Morning Zoom Communion
Your invited to share Communion by Zoom on Sundays at 11:30 AM. Pause for a sacred moment to greet the church family, hear the words of institution, share bread and cup with whatever elements you have at home, and receive a blessing. To join, follow the links and use the password here.
Excarnation
You don't just have a body. You are a body. And bodies matter to God. So much so that God "became flesh" in Christ and lived among us (the "incarnation"). So much so that God raised Christ's body. So much so that when Christ was raised and appeared to the disciples and to Thomas he showed them his scarred body--his hands and his side. Bodies matter to God. And in Christ God embraces and relates to who we are [...]
A Blessing You Can’t Turn Back
My heart soared seeing so many faces yesterday. It was Maundy Thursday, and over 40 screens (filled with 70-100 people) gathered via zoom to remember Jesus' last supper, share in communion from our many different rooms and tables, and receive a blessing. If you weren't able to join, I want to share that blessing with you (at the very bottom of this email). I pray these words bless your soul as they have mine. See you (digitally) [...]
What you might be feeling…
I think it's grief. At least that's what I've noticed about myself. I'm grieving. It doesn't feel like the grief I expect when a loved one dies. But it's grief, I'm growing more sure of it every day. I've seen some powerful acknowledgment of this grief. Recently I read a beautiful one by a South Elkhorn Church and choir member and professor at Transylvania University, Jeremy Paden. Maybe you've noticed it, too, even if you have [...]
Keep Connected – email, text, and more
Keep connected with updates, encouragement, invitations, and opportunities to serve. Join the email and text messaging lists below: {{ vc_btn: title=Sign+up+for+The+Current+e-news&align=center&i_icon_fontawesome=far+fa-envelope&add_icon=true&link=url%3Ahttp%253A%252F%252Feepurl.com%252FcQRAkn%7C%7C%7C }}{{ vc_btn: title=Sign+up+for+Michael%27s+Weekly+Musings&align=center&i_icon_fontawesome=far+fa-envelope&add_icon=true&link=url%3Ahttp%253A%252F%252Feepurl.com%252FcOlOAf%7C%7C%7C }}{{ vc_btn: title=Sign+up+for+Children+and+Youth+e-news&align=center&i_icon_fontawesome=far+fa-envelope&add_icon=true&link=url%3Ahttp%253A%252F%252Feepurl.com%252Fc4pIlz%7C%7C%7C }}{{ vc_btn: title=Get+South+Elkhorn+text+messages&align=center&i_icon_fontawesome=fas+fa-mobile-alt&add_icon=true&link=url%3Ahttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.remind.com%252Fjoin%252Fsouthelk%7C%7C%7C }} Use your phone to sign up for text messages: Share your prayer concerns or prayer requests. {{ vc_btn: title=Prayer+Requests&align=center&i_icon_fontawesome=fas+fa-praying-hands&add_icon=true&link=url%3Ahttps%253A%252F%252Fforms.gle%252FSZtwxFXvUSRdwUiq9%7C%7C%7C }}