Appearance: Three Questions
By Dr. John Warlow
1. How Important Is Appearance to You?
To be honest, appearance is one of the areas I focus on the least. I do mention it in my “observation” section of the iDoc, but my emphasis is more on outward expression—the observation of the mind and heart. Shopping centers, on the other hand, are all about appearance!
When I told my wife, Jill, that I was writing this blog, she lovingly laughed because she knows I’m not great with clothes! Growing up as a missionary kid in India, clothing was, as it were, optional but required (in other words, it didn’t really matter what you wore, as long as you or something)! In contrast, Jill’s father managed one of the finest menswear stores in New Zealand, and for her, external appearance is an expression of her internal vibrancy.
This difference became an interesting challenge in our marriage—Jill wanted to dress me up, and she’s done a great job! (I think I might be the “most improved” in this area! 😊😊)
2. What does the Bible say about appearance—for both men and women?
For Men:
Remember when Samuel was searching for a king among Jesse’s sons? He was impressed by their strong, masculine appearance, but God had a different perspective:
“But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.’”
—1 Samuel 16:7
For Women:
The Bible also speaks about appearance for women:
“Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within …”
—1 Peter 3:3-4 (NLT)
For both men and women, the deeper, inner appearance is what truly matters.
3. What Does the Bible Say About the Appearance of the Triune God?
Jesus’ Appearance:
I was deeply moved—brought to tears—when Dave in a LWTP (pre PACT) spoke about the presence of Jesus, using the circles and sectors will. His true appearance shone so brightly. I’ve tried to capture this in CURE 3 over about 8 pages, in the section on Jesus’ “life illustrated by the circles.”
The Bible describes Jesus’ earthly appearance in Isaiah 53:2:
“He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to Him, nothing in His appearance that we should desire Him.”
He came in human form, as seen in Philippians 2:8:
“He was found in appearance as a man.”
Yet, in Mark 9:2-3, NLT, during His transfiguration, we catch a glimpse of His divine glory:
“Jesus’ appearance was transformed, and His clothes became dazzling white—far whiter than any earthly bleach could ever make them.”
A time will come when we will see Him fully revealed:
“When Christ appears, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. All who have this hope in Him purify themselves, just as He is pure.”
—1 John 3:2-3
And in Revelation 1:13-17, John describes the breathtaking vision of Jesus:
“Dressed in a robe reaching down to His feet, 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… His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance.”
Upon seeing this, John fell at His feet as though dead, but Jesus reassured him:
“Do not be afraid.”
The Appearance of the Father and the Holy Spirit:
We can also explore the appearance of God the Father—the expression of His deeper glory. (Where would you place glory on the “circles” and “sectors”?)
And what about the Holy Spirit? He appeared in different forms:
- As a dove at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry.
- As fire at the beginning of the disciples’ ministry.
A Final Reflection
Take a moment to look at Jesus, the Father, and the Holy Spirit. Pay attention to what you notice. Be in His presence. Gaze at Him. See what happens