"My Mommy says those are BAD!" My little boy shouted at the Mardels Christian Bookstore. He was vehemently pointing at the object in question. Half the store had heard him, and looked, then looked at me in confusion and horror.
"How can that be bad!" A woman demanded, looking at me as if I might really be a witch, or a demon.
I blushed, trying to quiet my son and end this scene.
Embarrassingly, this scene has repeated itself a few times, in a few places.
What object did Tommy see at Mardels (and other places) and shout about? What did I say was "bad" in the first place? Well...
Almost overnight, they popped up everywhere. Little toy Jesuses. Several businesses we frequent have these miniature Jesus toys in strategic spots, supposedly watching all that goes on. Perhaps they're meant as a warning "Jesus is watching you!" Or perhaps they're supposed to bring comfort, "Jesus is with you." I've known people who give them out and say, "Here, need a little Jesus in your life?"
I believe the intent most have is good. While the idea can seem endearing, even cute, I find these Jesus figures concerning, and will not let my son have them, nor allow them displayed in my home or classrooms.
We're told in Exodus 20:4-5a, You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them... This is specifically talking about idol worship. Most people with toy Jesuses aren't trying to worship an idol. But they've made an image of the One who deserves all our worship.
In Colossians 1:15, we are told that Jesus is the image of the invisible God. Jesus, God the Son, became a man, lived a perfect life, willingly carried our sin, died on the cross, and rose again the third day. Jesus is called Immanuel, God with us. He is the image. Why make an image of the image? After Jesus ascended to Heaven, He sent the Holy Spirit to indwell all believers. The Holy Spirit, not a little figurine, points us back to the Savior.
When we see Jesus, either at death or upon His return, He will be glorious, not a silly figurine that caricatures how He MIGHT have looked at His first coming. It is clear that the glorified Christ will evoke awe. The Apostle John (who spent years with Jesus during his earthly ministry) passed out. Read what he wrote about this from Revelation 1:12-18: I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, and among the lampstands was someone like a son of man, dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. The hair on his head was white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, and coming out of his mouth was a sharp, double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance. When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.
Reading that passage, do you think the Apostle John would find these Jesus toys appropriate after seeing the real thing? A rubber toy Jesus has nothing on the One who holds the keys of death and Hades.
Besides the Bible, my favorite books are The Chronicles of Narnia, by C.S. Lewis. These allegorical books represent the Christian life. The Lion, Aslan, represents Christ. In The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe (book 1 or book 2, depending on which accepted order you read them in), Mr. and Mrs. Beaver tell the children about Aslan, and when the children realize Aslan is a lion, they ask if He is safe. Mr. Beaver replies, "'Course he isn't safe. But he's good. He's the King, I tell you." I think reducing Jesus to a toy makes Him safe, fun, on the same level as a teddy bear or action figure. He isn't safe! He isn't tame. Presenting Him as such is dangerous, irreverent, and sacrilegious.
Ask the Living Lord to reveal Himself to You, in as much glory as your earthly self can manage. I don't think you'll be satisfied with graven images anymore.
