Vignettes 22

THE FACE OF CHRIST

Would you be interested in knowing what Jesus Christ actually looked like? This year, a Catholic choice was modeled by a young black woman with a short Afro with dread-locks. I printed the story of Leonardo da Vinci’s 400-year old "Last Supper." We know it took him years to find and paint just the right model’s face. My boyhood image was supplied by a 1911 classic print by German-born Johann Hofmann, showing Christ in the Garden. He looked dark. Then there was a more contemporary full-face, high-forehead, lightened by heavenly radiance (my favorite), painted by American Warner Sallman. Still His facial features are angular; eyes, hair and skin, brown, always bearded.

While a member of the Mormon Church, I was pleasantly surprised to learn that Joseph Smith claimed to have looked upon the actual face of Christ and that His eyes were blue! Moreover, the Vatican archives yielded up a letter from Pilate to Caesar describing the trouble-maker from Nazareth as being easily recognized by His light hair and complexion. I still have the inexpensive print from my childhood, but I’ve sought without much success, until now, the rare images of a white Jesus.

Beth Sweigard had never painted anything in her life, when a mysterious Minister asked her to paint a portrait of Jesus for his Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Lynnwood, Washington. Like da Vinci, it took her several years before she accepted the calling, but once the first brush stroke was made, her finished product took only 36-hours. The result was Divine inspiration! Since then Beth has painted additional portraits, but only of Christ.

Beth’s husband is also a gifted and unique individual. Dr. Charles Sweigard is a Pediatrician who found Christ and literally forgave his debtors. His generosity was considered so bizarre by his medical contemporaries and materialistic wife (at that time), they had him committed to a mental ward for more than a year. Dr. Sweigard wrote an easy-read book, Torn For The Healing. Today, they live in Enumclaw, WA, near Seattle.

I first noticed her talent when I discovered a full page color ad in USA Today of a lithograph entitled "If My People," showing Christ in prayer kneeling before the Liberty Bell. An American flag stands in the background with a Bald Eagle perched atop the Bell looking on. A dove flutters near the flag, while a sparrow can be seen on parchments representing the Declaration of Independence and Constitution next to Christ. I was taken aback to see such a patriotic display in any establishment media. A group of Christian men were offering the large prints through Beth for a mere $25! We sent a check immediately. When our picture arrived, the check was returned and Beth had graciously signed her name to the work. The overall painting is well balanced and professionally done, but the image of Christ is powerful beyond words. His strong nail-pierced hands embrace the Bell; His blonde hair reveals a face that could only be His. I was greatly moved.

Judy interviewed Beth on Freedom Call during the period when I was unavailable in court. Beth then sent us copies of her other work. I finally was able to look into the blue of our Messiah’s eyes! My search for pictures to honor Christ in our home is accomplished to a degree I never thought possible. It is my extreme pleasure to be able to offer you the same opportunity to feast on unbelievably beautiful creations by a person called of God to portray His Son‘s likeness. The enclosed flyer is from Beth and allows you to communicate directly with her. I know your prints will become the center of your home, as they will in ours. Enjoy the fellowship of a person gifted by God to paint his Son.

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