The Saviour's Personal Appearance.
By R. M. KILGORE
That there once appeared a personage whom the Christian recognizes as Jesus Christ, the Son of God, but few deny. Our claim of his divinity, many at the present time choose to dispute; while all are willing to admit his superiority as a man. When he was upon the earth and appeared among men, he was a wonder and an astonishment to those who would not receive him, while his followers revered him, saying, “We believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.” John 6: 69. While his enemies regarded him as an imposter and a “deceiver,” those who were best acquainted with him esteemed him a Prophet whom the Lord had raised up unto them, from their midst, like unto Moses. Deut. 18: 15, 18; John 1: 45. As he taught them, in the temple, the “Jews marveled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned?” The officers acknowledged that “Never man spake like this man.” John 7: 15, 46. And as some who were almost persuaded inquired, “Do the rulers know indeed that this is the very Christ?” the Pharisees would answer, “Are ye also deceived?” His life, as well as his teachings, was a constant rebuke to them, and they murmured against him. As he went about doing good, healing the sick, giving eyes to the blind, opening the ears of the deaf, strengthening the weak and lame, and raising the dead, his enemies were filled with envy, and they tried to catch him in his words, to impeach him as a transgressor of the law, said they would not have him to rule over them, and, clamoring for his innocent blood, cried, “Crucify him, crucify him.” Though he took upon him the form of a servant, yet his mien was commanding and graceful, and his features beautiful, for he had the “form of God,” and was the “express image of his person.” His own testimony is, “He that hath seen me hath seen the Father.” Differing from others of royal ancestry, he “made himself of no reputation;” was found in the company of the poor of this world who were “rich in faith;” and, to all, he extended the gracious invitation, “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” Matt. 11: 28, 29. Of his life and acts of benevolence, Spiritual Gifts speaks as follows: “He restored the sick to health, healed the lame, and caused them to leap in the gladness of their hearts, and glorify God. He gave sight to the blind. He raised the dead to life, and they glorified God for the mighty display of his power. The life of Christ was full of benevolence, sympathy, and love. He was ever attentive to listen to, and relieve the woes of, those who came to him. But few could endure to be governed by his sober, self-denying life. They saw him in love and tenderness speak encouragingly to the weak and afflicted. They also heard him, in a voice of authority, rebuke the power of Satan.” Vol. 1, p. 37. The Historian Josephus, writing of the same personage, says: “Now there was about this time Jesus, a wise man, if it be lawful to call him a man, for he was a doer of wonderful works, a teacher of such men as receive the truth with pleasure. He drew over to him both many of the Jews and many of the Gentiles. He was [the] Christ, and when Pilate, at the suggestion of the principal men amongst us, had condemned him to the cross, those that had loved him at the first did not forsake him; for he appeared to them alive again the third day, as the divine prophets had foretold these and ten thousand other wonderful things concerning him.”—Antiq. Book 18, chap. 3, ¶ 3. The following purports to be a description of the Saviour by one who lived at that time. It may be of interest to the reader, but we give no opinion in regard to its authenticity. “The following is a description of the person of Jesus Christ, as it was found in an ancient manuscript sent by Publius Lentulus, President of Judea, to the Senate of Rome: “There lives at this time in Judea a man of singular character, whose name is Jesus Christ. The barbarians esteem him a prophet, but his followers adore him as the immediate offspring of the immortal God. He is endowed with such unparalleled virtue as to call back the dead from their graves, and to heal every kind of disease with a word or touch. His person is tall and elegantly shaped—his aspect amiable, reverend. His hair flows in those beautiful shades which no united colors can match, falling in graceful curls below his ears, agreeably crouching on his shoulders, and parting on the crown of his head, like the head-dress of the sect of the Nazarites. “His forehead is smooth and large, his cheeks without spot save that of a lovely red; his nose and mouth are formed with exquisite symmetry; his beard is thick and suitable to the hair of his head, reaching a little below his chin, and parting in the middle like a fork; his eyes are bright, clear and serene. He rebukes with majesty, counsels with mildness, and invites with the most tender and persuasive language. His whole address, whether in word or deed, is elegant, grave, and strictly characteristic of so exalted a being. No man has seen him laugh, but the whole world behold him weep frequently; and so persuasive are his tears, none can refrain from joining in sympathy with him. He is very moderate, temperate, and wise. In short; whatever this phenomenon may turn out in the end, he seems at present a man, for excellent beauty and divine perfections, every way surpassing the children of men.” Hooper, Neb., Feb. 23, 1872.