“Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance.”
John 20:1 (NIV)
A day begins at sundown according to Jewish custom, which was observed by Jesus and all Jewish people in His day. Every Jewish holiday is still based upon that system to this present day. The body of Jesus was wrapped in a special cloth, before sundown, with special spices and prayers according to the custom. The third day began at sundown Saturday. Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early Sunday morning, and panicked when His body was gone, leaving only that burial cloth. As we better understand Jewish burial customs of the first century, we can better appreciate the mysterious image on what is believed to be the burial cloth of Jesus, known as the shroud of Turin. There were traces of pollen in that cloth that are specific to that particular area of Palestine, which come from a flower that bloomed only in March or April. Coins were placed on the eyes of the dead, to keep them closed and the coins imprinted on that shroud were dated to the era of Pontius Pilate. Scientists have agreed that the image is not hand made or painted. They cannot, however, explain what produced an image equivalent to a photographic negative, with 3-D qualities, long before photography was ever invented. An Italian sculptor, Luigi Enzo Mattei, was able to replicate a life size bronze statue of the body, taken from the mysterious image left on the shroud, shown in attached photos. Scientific analysis revealed that the body which produced that image was 5’10” and 173 lbs. His face looks peaceful, although battered, with a bump on the bridge of His nose, from swollen cartilage. His entire body has small dumbbell shaped imprints made from the attached end pieces of the Roman whip. The image on the cloth also had a stab wound on the side in the abdomen. There are holes in the feet and wrists, which fits with wounds of a crucifixion. Although many men were crucified under Roman rule, no others left a photo negative image on their burial cloth. This victim had head wounds made by thorns, but not from the crown of thorns we’ve seen in artwork over the centuries. It was more of a cap made of thorns. Isaiah described a Messiah who was marred more than any other man. By seeing this reconstructed life size body, which fits the description of Jesus, we can also envision the same body as He walked out of the tomb alive on Sunday morning. For a brief moment, try to personalize the resurrection of Jesus, imagining you, instead of Mary Magdalene, were the first one to arrive at the tomb. You look into the tomb and see only His burial cloth lying there. As you leave the empty tomb, you meet the risen Jesus, 5’10” tall, with nail scarred holes in His wrists and feet. His wounds are healed and He stands completely whole before you, no longer in pain. He is smiling, with beautiful love filled eyes, gazing down at you. He is wearing a clean, new white robe, which contrasts against His middle eastern tan complexion. He speaks to you in a smooth mellow voice, with words that fill your heart with a comforting peace that is beyond explanation. There is an aura of holiness around Him and He is full of joy in His glorified, resurrected body. You bow before Him, overwhelmed in His presence, and He speaks softly. He has a personal message just for you. Let your imagination fill in the blank. What is Jesus saying to you?_____________________________
Lord Jesus, I pray you bless every reader today with the fullness of joy and peace that your glorious resurrection gives to us. Amen and Hallelujah! Happy Easter to all!
Gash on forehead, swollen eyes, cheekbones and bump on bridge of nose from trauma
The cap of thorns
Holes in wrists and stab wound in the side
Holes in His feet from nails
Small dumbbell shaped impressions in the legs from the scourging with the whip