esus stirred to Resurrection, something like an electric flash broke from the body and produced the image.” (Lobregat 1996, p:13 cols 1-6.) ConclusionThis research paper needs a lot of time and effort. As of now arguments still rage about the Holy Shroud’s authenticity but the researcher was convinced enough that it was genuine based on certain facts. Ironically, if it turns out to be the work of some unknown medieval artist-genius, the message doesn’t change! Whether it is authentic or not, this is what the Shroud represents. The message doesn’t change; it remains the same. The researcher views the Shroud as a picture that speaks every language. It speaks to the simple and the sophisticated, to the illiterate and the intellectual. In a sense, it is scripture in a picture! When the researcher focused on the message of the Shroud instead of being preoccupied with whether it is authentic or not, the Shroud becomes a powerful way of presenting the Gospel message while fascinating public readers with its mystery. What is that message? It is the message of Jesus Christ as recorded in the Gospels. There is no difference. They are identical, and the conveyance of that message does not hinge on the Shroud’s authenticity. As with so many things in life, it is not the destination that is all that important, but rather the journey itself. So it is with the Shroud. If experts finally prove it one way or the other, it would be far less interesting. The mystery would be gone. Even if it were proven authentic and found to be first century after all, would the world suddenly believe the claims of Christ? Doubtful indeed. That’s why it will probably always remain a mystery. Why? Because that’s how God works, in mysterious ways. The great truths of God are all mysteries that are revealed only to the individual who invests the time and effort to discover them. God purposely hides himself and is found by those who ...
