A Jesus Above but not With
I took this picture on the more isolated side of Maui early last year. It was above an entrance to a small church that I don’t think is used for meeting anymore. I had a thought it might not even be there anymore now because of the fires this summer.
This representation of Jesus feels very different than many, it almost feels futuristic, but I think it’s quite old (a hundred years maybe?) Here he’s not angry, joyful, or even pious, but almost reluctant.
The 3 bands of light also have this alien feel, bringing together a sense of “withness” through disharmony and strangeness. I just noticed the blue waves in back, that feel to me of the constancy of the rhythms of life “behind” what is happening now. But yet this stained glass is still above the door, which still doesn’t distance me from the image and sense.
It’s rather “enter in” to where I’m at.. there’s a very old sentiment that Jesus came “outside the camp” and that is very much where this stands.. and who He stands for… it used to be a place just for rebels.. but as the digital attempts to crowd in at every crevice, we are distanced and detached.. we still have a choice though, right?
for every nudge away from our humanity and connection with others, we can push back, say no.. we choose to connect, care, go deeper, be concerned.
The Jesus Above may help us feel safe-er, like he’s got this one, handled! The Jesus With though helps more though right? We also still need Jesus to feel our reluctance, apprehension, our WTF-ness. If you think religion get’s him, think again.. the stories scattered throughout the Christian testament has him constantly saying WTF!
It seems he’s more at home with the outcast and the soldier that has personal integrity than any “believers.” He almost seems at odd’s with his followers at many a turn, questioning their motives. If you think maybe as he was being led to the Romans towards the cross, they had an a-ha moment, Peter’s denial was the icing on the cake.
Still, the Jesus that can be seen with us, going through, understanding, and feeling it with.. well that can’t be just a dream. Many a person over history has known that sense of being understood and has come to a place where their lives have made sense within a greater and better canvas, isn’t that the point.. not religious culture, nor merely coming to a better moral sense.