Christology 101: The only biblical icons of Christ are the Eucharist and the gathered Church. Everything else is a cheap imitation.
I have icons hanging in my office in a tall column one above the other. From the bottom up: Emperor Constantine with mommy Helena, then St. George and the dragon, Justin Martyr, Nicholas of Myra (Santa Claus), and Athanasius. Finally, topping this tower of icons is an icon of Jesus looking reverently bored as he sits enthroned over my messy office.
That picture of Jesus reminds me that no man-made image will ever really do. I say “man-made” because God has actually gifted us with two authentic images of Christ. The first is the Eucharist, the “body and blood” of Christ—a holy meal by which we meet with the risen, glorified Christ, encounter His presence and power, and remind one another of His incarnate Person and redemptive work. When I look on Christ in communion, I’m never disappointed.
The other is the Body of Christ itself—the gathered Church made up of His members. That spiritual/physical community called to represent Him in this world. Indwelled by His Spirit. An extension of His prophetic and priestly ministries into this world. As the Church gathers in His name, by His power, under His lordship, there He is in our midst through a mystical union with His people.
Sorry, shiny icon of Jesus. You’re just a cheap imitation.
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