What Does God Look Like?

Les Miserables
Recently I went to the movie theater to see the musical adaptation of ‘Les Miserables’ and came away from the experience deeply affected. The film powerfully portrays how love, mercy and forgiveness triumphs over hate and judgment.  One of the main characters, Javert, lives by an unswerving devotion to the Law and his life ends tragically.  The main character, Valjean, is transformed by the power of Grace and forgiveness and finishes his life at peace with God and with himself.

As the movie ends, a dying Valjean prepares to enter heaven. Surrounded by his family, these words become the finale of ‘Les Miserables.’  Let the truth of these lyrics settle into your heart and mind.

“Take my hand
And lead me to salvation
Take my love
For love is everlasting
And remember
The truth that once was spoken:
To love another person is to see the face of God”

The Face of God
‘To love another person is to see the face of God.’  What an amazing thought! I love this truth because it helps clarify what scripture teaches about putting love into action. When I express genuine love to someone I can expect to see a tangible manifestation of God. I can expect to see the face of God.  Wow, is that exciting or what?

Since we’re made in the image of God, (see Genesis 2) it should not be a surprise that we bear a striking family resemblance.  And when we express love to another of God’s children, it’s further evidence that we are made to reflect our Father’s character.  Jesus is a vivid reminder of how this type of love is expressed.  When we love someone at the point of personal sacrifice or inconvenience something supernatural happens. The act of loving someone triggers a response from God that can be both felt and seen.

What Does God Look Like?
This raises an interesting question, ‘What does God look like?’  John, the Apostle, points us to the answer when he writes: “No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love has been brought to full expression through us.”  (1 John 4:12)  Well, that makes sense to me.  I know that when I tangibly express love to someone by an act of kindness, or by just being thoughtful, I feel better.  During those times, I may feel closer to God, or perhaps I may sense the joy or peace that comes from his nearness.

When we put love into action we’re living in a way that’s consistent with the way our Father intends.  Again, John writes: “Dear children, let us stop just saying we love each other; let us really show it by our actions. It is by our actions that we know we are living in the truth, so we will be confident when we stand before the Lord.”  (1 John 3:18-19) How we live is important because it’s a reflection of what’s in our heart.  And, it demonstrates whether or not we are truly alive. The Bible says that a person who has no love is still dead.  Okay, that’s pretty clear.

But, what does God look like?  After watching ‘Les Miserables,’ I keep playing back that song in my head and I keep thinking about what it means to see the face of God. In the movie finale, Jean Valjean was ready to encounter God face-to-face at the end of his life and he was completely at peace.  You get the sense that he already knew what to expect.  It almost seems that the face he was about see was a familiar one.  Clearly, he was not afraid.  He seemed confident and full of anticipation. John, the Apostle, sums up this kind of confidence: “And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the Day of Judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we are like Christ here in this world.” (1 John 4:17)

People Look Different
Consider the scenario that Matthew describes about what will happen when we meet Jesus face-to-face: “Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison, and visit you?’  And the King will tell them, ‘I assure you, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!” (Matthew 25: 25:37-40)

I believe this scenario in Matthew contains the answer we’ve been searching for. I have to be honest, since seeing ‘Les Miserables’ I have been provoked to see people differently.  People on the street, in my office, in Starbucks, in my family, my friends and even strangers—all look different to me now.  It seems God used a movie to get my attention.  He turned on a switch.  He’s giving me the capacity to see more clearly what he sees.  And I pray he helps me to feel more passionately what he feels.

What does God look like?  I believe he looks a lot like you and me.  What do you see?

I’d love to hear from you!

Copyright 2014 John H Briggs