The face of Jesus

I'm working on a post interacting with what I've read so far from Bainton's book. Hope to get that up tomorrow night. For now, I'll just leave you with this beautiful image of Christ, which happens to be one of the most ancient iconographical images we have. It's from St. Catherine's Monastery at the foot of Mt. Sinai (yes, the Mt. Sinai), and dates from as far back as the 5th century:

I ordered this icon from an Orthodox monastery in Minnesota that reproduces these images and emblazons them on a piece of wood. I love it- it's an immense aid to my own prayer life.

The theological richness of the image is what draws me back to it again and again. If you divide the image down the middle of the face, using the nose as the center point, you see what is in effect two images melded together to create this beautiful icon. On the left-hand side, Christ is making a blessing gesture with his hand. His face is serene, approachable, tender, caring. He's conveying the blessings of God to the viewer with a truly benevolent gaze. This side (I think) represents the richness of the mercy of Christ; forgiving, compassionate, and just plain loving. Yet on the viewer's right-hand side, Christ is holding a book, perhaps a lawbook, perhaps the gospels. His face is stern, regal, kinglike. His eyebrow is arched, his eye is dark and penetrating. This is Christ the Judge, Christ the Lawgiver, Christ the King. There is no tender mercy conveyed in this side of his face, only a demand for fierce loyalty and obedience to his teaching and example.

The brilliance of this image to me, and what makes it so compelling, is the combination of both sides of Christ, the judge and the friend, the king and the suffering servant, in one rich tapestry. The message is that both sides are necessary for a full picture of Jesus the Christ. Christ the King demanding obedience is only half the story, an incomplete picture of the Savior of the world who knows all too well what it is to be a frail human being just like us. Likewise, Christ the merciful embodiment of forgiveness rings empty and hollow without the regal amd omnipotent lawgiver. For the ancient monk who crafted this incredible image, both sides are necessary to arrive at a full understanding of the person of Jesus. Jesus is a king all right, legislating his law of love among all who would call him Lord; yet he is a merciful king, looking with compassion on those who ask him for forgiveness.

I love this icon! But more than that, I love the Lord who it depicts in all his robust fullness. I know I am not worthy of such a holy master, but I am equally confident in the mercy and compassion he has promised. Kyrie eleison! Lord, have mercy!