It is known as the Shroud of Turin or simply “The Shroud”. The world-renowned piece is believed by many to show the image of Jesus Christ on the actual burial cloth used for following His crucifixion. Others are not so sure. So today, the famed item’s authenticity remains an ongoing source of continual debate.
The 14-foot long strip of linen has been in the possession of the Vatican since 1983. It was last revealed in public in the year 2000 when more than a million visitors viewed it. And now Pope Benedict has agreed to make the piece public again in 2010. The 81-year old head of the Catholic Church said, “It will be an occasion to "to contemplate the mysterious face, which silently speaks to the heart of men, inviting them to recognize in it the face of God".
Some get enthused, and others even need, to see physical evidence in order to somehow validate Biblical truth or bolster their own beliefs. But Jesus seemed to indicate otherwise – or even the exact opposite.
Just eight days after His resurrection, Jesus miraculously appeared before the disciples including a previously absent Thomas. It was there that the wavering one received what has become his common title of “Doubting Thomas". John 20:25 records his rather harsh and negative words to his friends about Christ’s return from the grave. “So he said to them, "Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe." That attitude would be quickly and radically altered!
In verse 26 of the chapter, Jesus suddenly appeared in the mist of His followers and offered them brief words of hope. But His attention was then immediately directed to the one with outspoken, but faltering, faith. Verse 27 reads, “Then He said to Thomas, "Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing." The next verse then reveals the disciple’s profound and heart-felt reply. "My Lord and my God!"
Thomas’ fully accurate assessment led to a humbling profession of saving faith. But an omniscient Savior knew well of the added advantage of a belief accompanied by His miraculously resurrected body only inches away. Accordingly, He spoke again to his newly educated disciple - words that were aimed to inform and inspire succeeding generations of followers. Verse 29 reads,. “Jesus said to him, "Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."
The same principle is seen In Paul’s second letter to the church at Corinth. In chapter 5 he relates the blessed hope and assurance of a future resurrection for all true believers. Sandwiched amid the Apostle’s words of comfort concerning the death of a Christian, he declares a key principle for God’s people. In verse 7 he writes, “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” Although Jesus’ life and ministry did provide physical evidence for His supernatural claims, any faith today that demands that kind of proof remains suspect!
No doubt millions more will again visit the Shroud of Turin. And admittedly, the thought that it could be the real deal is simply incredible. But hopefully, those who enter its presence will have previously said in their hearts, “My Lord and my God”, having based their faith and eternity on His empty tomb and upon His living word!
Bill Breckenridge
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