Why is Jesus always depicted in pain?

Question

We have all known family and friends who have died. Do you get a photo of them dying and then send 8x10s to the family? Such a guilt trip aint it! Why not put up photos of Jesus smiling instead of hanging on a cross. My grandfather died years ago in a hospital and not being a very good christian i never got his photo while he was in agony... who knew?

Answer 1

Lol, christianity is a sick belief system.

Answer 2

There are many pictures of Jesus smiling and doing other than going through agony. A few might include: Holding a lamb in his lap. Holding a child in His lap. Preaching. Healing the sick. The Last Supper. Arising to Heaven. I assume there are more pictures of Jesus in pain is because of what it represents. It represents part of what Jesus went through to save us from our sins. Being whipped, scourged, having nails driven through His hands and feet and a spear stuck in His side are no picnic. His love for us and willingness to go through such pain (even when He didn't really have to) shows what it cost to freely give us our salvation. God/Jesus went through pain, and died so we could be justified and go to Heaven.

Answer 3

could as easily depict Jesus contemplating a star or with a star to represent himself and his connection to Judaism. perhaps instead of a cross hands clasping those of Islam and of Judaism in front of a globe atop a church.all smiling. that way what Christianity is about will not be misconstrued by any future civilization which explores ours when they grow ancient. perhaps a message of suffering while important is not as important as making sure future generations now are not blighted by an unaknowleged connection all humans have their humanity. not only this but to show Jesus lived in The Middle East perhaps a map of it with the place he was embossed in bright colours. then of course the usual link betweenThe Sky God of Judaism and Islam which is the same God.perhaps a picture of Heaven with God looking down approvingly at the freindly people from a vantage point on the planet symbol that is in the uppermost part of it.

Answer 4

The Gospel is that Jesus came to earth, paid for our sins, died for us, then rose for us. And he did all this because of his great love. Jesus is often portrayed in the Garden or on the Cross because that's the crux of the Gospel.

I've seen other artwork of the Lord. I've seen paintings of him delivering the Sermon on the Mount, blessing the little children, etc. One of my favorite paintings is just an empty tomb with the rock rolled away.

Answer 5

You're missing the point.

Christians may not agree with my dry analysis, but Jesus is a symbol of many things.

Symbols are meant to elicit certain emotions. In religion you elicit the emotion to help transform your mind toward that emotion. This is ultimately like a psychological trick, but a necessary one to really transform and clarify ones mind.

One of these emotions Jesus can bring out in you is empathy. This is a very powerful emotion because it is the realization that you are not separate from others.

The illusion that we are separate from one another is one of the greatest spiritual illusions to break away from.

Answer 6

While it is true that Jesus Christ was crucified, the alleged pictures or images of Jesus which have been made and spread all over the country or nation are not true Jesus Christ. Nobody have taken the picture of Jesus Christ because at that time , there are no cameras . Those are only images or pictores or phtoes coming from the imagination of the carpenter who made that wooden photo of Jesus or stone photo. He is not true Jesus Christ. It is prohibited by God to make graven images and claimed to be God. That is against the law of the living God.OK?
jtm

Answer 7

Agony of Jesus on the cross cannot be denied, but at present he is alive and victorious and seated at the right hand of God, soon to judge the nations. You do well if you keep that in mind.

Answer 8

Who are you? I know you are not me. hahaha I am a Larry D also.
But Jesus died for us and needs to be remembered this way. It is what his purpose was! To save us from the same fate... Not dying of course, but walking through hell to save us from living there. If somebody for instance, took a bullet for me, I would have saved the bullet if possible. Just like we have tiny crosses as symbols.

Answer 9

+PAX

I have wonderful drawings of Jesus laughing, playing with children, holding an infant, sitting on a park bench with a troubled teenager.... all very beautiful.

I also have the 3 inch St. Benedict crucifix that I wear around my neck which reminds me every minute of every day that this wonderful man and God, stretched his arms open in love for all of us on the cross and died for us so that we may live in eternity with Him in Heaven.

Benedicite,
J.

Answer 10

The whole point is Jesus "dying for our sins" or some such bulllshit. People forget he also taught things while he was alive. But crucifixtion always comes first foremost. My secular theory is people are generally morbid. We're fascinated by sick shiit.

Answer 11

My personal opinion is that people who make artwork of Jesus always want to convey the message of what He did for people, which is die for the sins of humanity. There are other paintings which show Jesus happy, there is one that I've seen of Him smiling and one where he is surrounded by children. It's really what the artist wishes to convey and I can't answer that question.