A Miracle in Plain Sight
"So, they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews." John 19:40
The most consequential events of Christianity are the crucifixion, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. There is nothing that comes close to these pivotal events - they are the entire reason that Christianity exists. Without these events, there is no church, no Bible, and no sacraments.
The relics of these events have become sacred. The cross, the crown of thorns, and the burial tomb all are sacred artifacts that we have today. Pieces of the cross were distributed to churches after Jesus’ death, and the faithful can go see them today. The crown of thorns resides at the Notre Dame cathedral in Paris, which miraculously survived a fire just recently in 2019. The location of Jesus’ tomb, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, is a pilgrimage spot for Christians and non-Christians alike.
However, there has always been one artifact that has been covered in mystery and skepticism: Jesus’ burial cloth, otherwise known as the Shroud of Turin. Unlike the other relics from Jesus’ resurrection, the Shroud of Turin’s legitimacy is disputed. The crown of thorns, the burial tomb, and the cross were all verified or discovered much closer to the time of Christ’s resurrection.
The Shroud of Turin made its first appearance in 1354, over 1,300 years after the death of Jesus. The authenticity of the Shroud of Turin has been debated ever since. Perhaps the most examined piece of cloth ever, evidence has both supported and cast doubt on its legitimacy. It’s likely that no definitive evidence will emerge in our lifetime.
Yet, it’s important to take a step back and realize the gravity of the situation. It is quite possible that we have the cloth that Jesus was wearing when He was dead…when He physically left this world, then proceeded to conquer death and kick start the religion that billions of people ascribe to today.
We refresh social media to see what famous people are wearing at the Met Gala. We spend tens of thousands of dollars to purchase the clothes of famous people, like Michael Jordan’s jersey. And we spend too much time debating over which scarves we have to have for our fall outfits. Yet, when we potentially have the cloth that the most famous person in history was wearing when He performed the most famous and consequential act in history, we barely seem to care.
We literally could have a miracle in plain sight, but it’s rarely talked about. In fact, it’s usually brought up by people seeking to cast doubt. Even the other relics like the crown of thorns, the cross, and the burial tomb are only talked about while we tell the story of the Gospel. A minority of Christians know that we can go see these relics with our own eyes.
Christians commonly complain that they don’t feel God. Perhaps we aren’t trying hard enough. Go to Israel…I guarantee you will feel Him there; it’s called the Holy Land for a reason. Go to the Sistine chapel…you will see Him there. Go venerate or see the cross or crown of thorns…you will experience Him there.
However, we don’t have to travel far and wide to be with God. Many times, simply being in God’s creation - in the mountains, on the beach, in the wilderness - is all that is needed. Get away from the man-made things like your phone, TVs, and iPads, and get near the things God created.
So, instead of waiting around hoping to stumble upon Jesus, go seek Christ and you will find Him. “Seek me and ye shall find me” (Jeremiah 29:13) - it’s pretty simple. If we aren’t finding him, maybe we should start looking harder.