c. 2006 Religion News Service
CLEVELAND _ An apparition of a black Jesus is stirring believers in one of the largest churches in the Cleveland area.
The Christ figure with black features began appearing three months ago in a large mural overlooking the sanctuary of the 5,000-member Mount Zion of Oakwood Village, church members say.
Many members see the image as a sign God is pleased with the work they are doing at the predominantly black church, which 26 years ago had fewer than 50 regular worshippers.
But it is not just church members who have been moved, said the Rev. Larry Macon, Mount Zion’s pastor.
Macon said he has invited several prominent clergy and other visitors to the church. Ninety-five percent reported seeing the image, Macon said, but he has been reluctant to go public.
“Because we still live in a racist society … to even suggest a black Jesus creates a problem with whites and blacks,” Macon said.
Images of a white, blue-eyed Jesus continue to dominate in popular culture in the United States.
Both scholars and leaders of different racial and ethnic traditions, however, have challenged the idea that Jesus looked like Jeffrey Hunter in the movie “King of Kings” and have promoted images of Christ from different cultures.
No one knows the color of Jesus’ skin. But in the region of the world where Judaism and Christianity developed, scholars say, Jesus probably would have had darker skin than the white figure often portrayed in art, film and Sunday school books.
“Color of the Cross,” a movie that opened in limited release on Friday (Oct. 27), is the first major film to portray Jesus as a black man.
At Mount Zion, the mural of white clouds symbolizing heavenly images was painted four years ago by Cleveland artist Terri Tufts. Tufts could not be reached for comment, but Macon said the artist told him she did not put any figures in the mural.
About three months ago, the teenage daughter of a church worker reported seeing the image of a black Jesus in the upper lefthand corner of the mural. More people began to see it, and when Macon looked at it closely, the image was striking.
What people report seeing is a face with a broad nose and full lips that shows signs _ puffy eyes and dripping blood _ of someone who was beaten in accordance with biblical accounts of Jesus’ last hours.
Viewers say the figure also has a serene look, which provides a sense of peace and divine approval to the sanctuary. “It’s just an extra added feeling when you’re in there knowing you’ve got someone watching over you,” said church member Mickey Magwood, 53.
But the idea of a black Jesus is uncomfortable for many people.
One white clergyman who visited was sure it was not a Jesus figure, Macon said. The cleric, whom Macon would not identify, told him, “I hate to tell you this, Dr. Macon, but it’s black.”
Macon said he does not place limits on God.
“I believe that Jesus speaks to people where they are at,” he said. “However he chooses to appear transcends race.”
(David Briggs writes for The Plain Dealer in Cleveland.)
KRE/PH END BRIGGS
Editors: To obtain photos of the mural at Mount Zion and a photo from “The Color of the Cross,” go to the RNS Web site at https://religionnews.com. On the lower right, click on “photos,” then search by subject or slug.
