This struck me as amusing

[susieface]

One reason we could go with is, "Jesus is the same yesterday, today and in the future."
A possibility!! But I think he should have been dressed like the kids, but then again it might not have been as easy to recognize that it was Jesus in the figurine.
Actually, I really liked the figurines.  I would like to have them for my 5yr. old son who is really into sports, as a reminder that Jesus is his friend and is with him always in all areas of his life including sports(also a good reminder to have a christian attitude while playing because Jesus is right there by our side in all activities).
Susie

[Mike Lewis]

Does the kid in the football figurine actually think he is going to be able to tackle the Son of God? :D

[janine]

My very first reaction was, "Why isn't He wearing the uniform?  Where's His helmet?"  If the Sinless One could be immersed "to fulfill all righteousness", something He didn't need but that we needed and the situation called for, wouldn't He also dress according to the times/culture/situation?

At least he was a regular-looking guy, neither a bronzed Adonis/Fabio nor the effeminate mascara'd weakling so often portrayed...

I've gone to the Catholic gift shops & asked that they try to locate me a well-done figurine of, say, the angel Michael, looking like I imagine an angel would when visible in human form (ha! like Fabio?), rather than like the little Renaissance cherubs or the girly-looking angels in modern pop-art.

The football one, with the kid trying to tackle Jesus, reminded me of the movie of Matthew starring Bruce Marciano (sp?) as Jesus.

Remember the scene where the newly-healed leper, amazed at his instant wholeness, throws his arms around Jesus, and they both fall to the ground, wrestling and laughing for joy, with an incredulous (and traditionally red-haired) Peter looking on?  And yet, neither characters nor narrator uttered any word not in the NIV Bible.  That's acting!

It was one of the best portrayals of Jesus I've ever seen, neither syrupy, nor frozen/trance-like/"hyper-holy".

He cried when Jesus would have-- 'Peter' had to put an arm around 'Jesus', almost pick him up, to walk him away, in the scene where he's overcome by his grief about 'Jerusalem, Jerusalem", who would not come to him...

Figurines fall in line, in my mind, with movie portrayals, paintings, Vacation Bible School skits... neither good nor bad.  They all have their uses.

[spurly]

I think when Jesus was on earth, he played whatever games that kids of that day played.  We forget that he was a man and participated in life as a man sometimes, mybe the figurines in your link will help us remember that.   :alien:

Kevin

[Jeff]

Ok, everyone:  give me your initial reaction when you see the items being sold here:

Religious figurines for sale

A friend showed me this link and I was a bit "put off" by the items at first.  But then I reconsidered and thought that if you were trying to help a young child understand the continual presence of our Lord and Savior, perhaps they contribute to that?  Having said that, I don't think I could ever see myself making a purchase....  

Wow, the things that are out there in the name of religion!

[Jeff]

You defined it for me, Janine... it's the robe and the "traditional Jesus" look that looked odd.  Why the robe indeed (or the long hair or the beard?)  Because that's how a lot of people see Jesus.  Kinda sad, IMHO.

[OldDad]

Looked like the Lord might have committed an offensive foul in the basketball figurine...

"we're shooting two here!"

OD

[Barb1957]

My 16-year-old and I got a kick out of this today. Thanks for the alert, OldDad. Amusing is right! As Jesus statues go though, I personally prefer Buddy Christ from Dogma.  :D

Barb