LIGHT in the Tomb of Jesus ? ?

Resurrection - - Light of Life

LIGHT  in the Tomb of Jesus ? ?

Our Bible Study at Open Door Church, began with another look at the Lamp Stand, and the light it brings into the dark places.  I took notes as our teacher brought to our attention an item of interest about the Shroud of Turin.

History and tradition tell us that before Jewish burial, a cloth was used to wipe the face, and other cloths were placed on the head and face, with a separate cloth wrapping the body.  For Jesus this was all done in haste as the Sabbath was approaching.  An anointing with precious ointment and herbs would follow later.

We know from the Scriptures that on the first day of the week, something spectacular happened inside the tomb to raise Christ from the dead. 

Outside of the tomb there is the biblical accounting of an earthquake, angels appearing with faces and white robes shining so brightly. 

We know when God appeared to Moses, there was bright light, thunder, lightening and electricity so strong that anyone else approaching would be struck dead. 

We understand there are many kinds of light.  Chandra Harvard Education -X-Ray says:  When we think of light, we think of sunshine or the colors of the rainbow. But colors, like sounds, are limited by the range of our senses. Just as there are sounds that we cannot hear because the pitch is too high or low for our ears to detect, so there are colors whose color pitch is too high or low for our eyes to detect. We think of light as the colors of the rainbow, which really is just a tiny part of a much broader spectrum that our eyes cannot see. We call this broader spectrum the Electromagnetic Spectrum. When sound is too high-pitched to be heard, it is called ultrasonic. The Electromagnetic Spectrum outside the visible is subdivided into several parts that also have special names: radio waves, microwaves, infrared, ultraviolet, x-rays and gamma rays. Despite the variety of names, they are all forms of light. 

Laser lights have become common in the field of Medical practice.  They are cool lights able to cut and heal.   

About the Shroud:  What Christians want to know and National Review 2016 says:   Perhaps it is a coincidence, but clearly seen on the body of the crucified man in the Shroud are gruesome markings consistent with the Gospel accounts of Christ’s Passion. You can count over 100 whip marks, possibly from scourging by Roman flagra, and identify on his wrists and feet obvious wounds that could have been from large spikes. Other markings are compatible with what could have been a crown of thorns. On closer examination, you can spot bruises (from beatings?) on his face, knees (from falling?), and the back of his shoulders (from carrying a heavy cross?), and a large bloody mark (from a spear?) in his side. Like the crucified Jesus in Gospel accounts, the man in the Shroud had no broken bones.

The Sudarium was a cloth used to wipe the face prior to burial and is thought to be the one used for Jesus.  Both linens show bloodstains on the head, in approximately the same position, that were formed by sharp objects, similar to what thorns would produce. Jesus was the only person in recorded history to have been crowned with thorns before crucifixion. Bennett explains as well that the Shroud and the Sudarium are consistent with Jewish burial customs of Jesus’ day:

The Sudarium contains male blood of type AB, however, which matches the blood on the Shroud. Moreover, the patterns of blood flow on the Sudarium are consistent with those of a crucified man.

Although we understand we are NOT to worship artifacts, and while some are skeptical that the Shroud is authentic, it seems practical to consider that there is a reason this particular Shroud has the imprint likened onto a camera with a flash bulb taking a photo for all to view. 

 

I am reminded of Thomas who declared, unless I see – I will not believe.  Perhaps this Shroud is for those who are like Thomas and not for us who believe because we know that we know.

When Christ rose from the dead, the LIGHT of God’s Glory burst upon his dead body, changing Him into a resurrected being that was now eternal and everlasting.

Light is much bigger than we understand and as we have been studying the Lamp Stand in the Tabernacle, we consider the Lamp Stand, with its oil and Light, to represent Jesus the Light of the World.

We have the reality of a risen Christ because by the Holy Spirit, Jesus now dwells within the spirit of all believers. 

Numbers 6:23-27  The priests were given a blessing to proclaim over the people:  “The Lord Make His Face to Shine upon you to be gracious unto you and give  you peace.”

Jesus is that LIGHT and he radiates out to us  creating in us light so that we may be that city set on a hill letting our light so shine. 

(Adding my own thoughts:) I am not a skeptical person, and I believe strongly in the Supernatural.  I accept as truth, from articles and books I have read of persons having encounters with God that included Angel visits and visits to heaven to worship and talk with Jesus.

Personally, I would desire to witness more of God showing up with signs and wonders being performed – but sadly they are few and far between.

It behooves us all to spend some time fasting and seeking the face of Jesus and being ready to believe when the glory of HIS LIGHT appears to us as individuals.

Lord, resurrect in me that Light of Lights that energizes and makes us a different person.