KneEmail - a devotional by Mike Benson associated with Forthright Magazine
Shroud
THE NEW TESTAMENT indicates that Jesus' body was prepared for burial according to "the custom of the Jews" ( John 19:40)...
This would involve washing the corpse. One recalls how the body of Dorcas was washed in preparation for her burial ( Acts 9:37). F.F. Bruce observed that this was "in accordance with the Jewish custom of purification of the dead." ...Yet the Shroud of Turin is supposed to contain bloodstains from Christ's body. Moreover, according to one theory, the image on the Shroud was produced by a chemical reaction of the embalming spices, along with Jesus' sweat; or else vapors, escaping the body in the initial stage of decomposition, generating the image. If the Savior's body was washed prior to burial, there was no residue of sweat. In addition, no traces of "spices" have been discovered in the various tests done on the cloth. Finally, the Scriptures plainly declare that the Lord's body would not experience "corruption," i.e., decomposition.
THOUGHT: While debates doubtless will continue over the dating of the cloth, and such matters as whether the stains on the material are paint or blood, or both, the fact is, there appears to be no credible way to harmonize the biblical evidence regarding Jesus' burial with the image on the Turin "Shroud." (Wayne Jackson)
KneEmail: "For You will not leave my soul in Sheol, nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption" (Psm. 16:10; cf. Acts 2:27).