THE MYTH OF JESUS HAVING LONG HAIR

“Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him?” (1 Corithians 11:14, KJV).

Here in America, we have many pictures that promote the myth that the Lord Jesus was a handsome caucasion Jesus. This of course contradicts the Bible that tells us that the Lord Jesus Christ was a first Century man born from Middle Eastern Jewish parents. Even more, these pictures always seem to depict Jesus as having long hair. The question is, did Jesus have long hair? According to the Apostle Paul, it is a shame for a man to have long hair. So here we see the Apostle in 1 Corinthians 11 teaching about headship and how that long hair on a man is disgraceful. So long hair is a glory to a woman, but a disgrace to a man. Some may argue here, yeah, but Jesus had long hair? If He did, why do the first Century Christian men have to have short hair? Great questions. Do not many paintings by artists depict Jesus having long hair as already alluded to earlier? Yes, they do, but many of these paintings depict Jesus as a handsome Caucasian man, when in reality, he was a first Century Middle Eastern Jewish man. Scripture tells us that Jesus was a plain looking man (Isa. 53:3), not known for His good looks, nor is there any indication He had long hair. Now he did have short hair and a beard. That much is clear from the Scriptures. The Bible on the other hand, is silent on Jesus having long hair.

THE COMING OF CHRIST MOCKED?

“But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.” 

(Matthew 24:36, ESV).

There is a popular quote I seen recently on a sign a few feet away from a local Church in the city I live in. It reads: “Jesus is coming, look busy!” I have also seen this same quote read, “Look busy, Jesus is coming!” I’m sure the minister of that local Church means well. No doubt, the quote was meant in humor. Yet, when one thinks about the phrase “Look busy” there appears an air of mockery in it. It seems to make light of, or trivializes the coming of Christ. I can’t help but wonder what non-Christians think when they read this message on a Church sign? Again, no doubt, some unbelievers will smile and scoff at such words. Peter describes these people in these words: “Knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. They will say, “Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.”  (2 Pet. 3:3-4, ESV). To millions of Christians around the world, “the coming of Christ” is the believer’s hope. Three times we read in the book of Revelations these words of Christ: “Behold, I am coming quickly,” “And behold, I am coming quickly,” and finally, “Surely, I am coming quickly.” (Rev. 22:7, 12, 20). The term “behold” in verses 7, 12 emphasizes the truth “pay attention to,” while “surely” means “of a certainty.” Now the term “quickly” seen in all three verses does not mean right away or immediately as one would think. No, for there are prophecies that need to be fulfilled before that great and notable day.