A statue made to look like a homeless Jesus has been set on display on a park bench in Manchester, UK.
Relevant Magazine reports that the statue’s creator hopes it will raise awareness of the plight of the homeless and cause people to reflect on how Jesus cared for those in need.
The bronze statue looks like any homeless person until you look closer and see the nail marks on his feet, giving the fist clue that this statue is actually meant to depict Jesus.
The statue was created by Canadian artist Timothy Schmalz and was unveiled outside St. Ann’s Church fittingly by two homeless men. The statue was also blessed by the Bishop of Manchester.
The city of Manchester is reportedly dealing with a homeless crisis. Churches are leading the way to help those in need by providing shelter and other necessities.
Bishop David Walker, the chair of the Manchester Homeless Partnership, commented on the biblical mandate of caring for the poor:
“Jesus is very explicit in the Bible; when we offer or refuse to care to those in need, we will be judged as though he himself were the needy person before us. This sculpture casts Christ’s words into metal. It links them directly to one of the most visible expressions of human need.”
Photo courtesy: ©Thinkstock/Srdjanns74
Publication date: April 25, 2018
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