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He doubted the man before him was Jesus.

But let’s not get away from the topic of whether this shroud face is Jesus or not. The shroud has never been a big thing to me. Even when Jesus was walking the earth people did not believe He was who He said He was. Some seem to think a shroud will cinch it with non-believers. I’m not one of them.

The shroud has never been a big thing to me.

And to others, it is a big thing. Vive la difference.

Even when Jesus was walking the earth people did not believe He was who He said He was.

And some did believe He was who He said He was. Consider, just for three examples, Simon Peter, the Roman centurion, and the one of ten cured lepers who returned to thank Him. There were many others.

The only reason I introduce Thomas into the discussion is that there is a scriptural precedent for Christ offering physical evidence to mitigate doubts. While I would certainly not pretend to, or be so vain as to presume to know Christ's thought processes, it seems reasonable to me that he would not offer that kind of proof to a doubting apostle in his own time, but not extend similar proof to assuage the doubts of persons after His ascension.

I, and I suspect most Christians of any denomination would love to believe that our faith is rock solid, unshakeable and we have all we need. As much as I would like to believe that, I know that's not the case, and any evidence, words of advice, turn of events, etc. that reaffirms and bolsters my faith is welcome. If the shroud were to be definitively proven to be a forgery, it would not affect my beliefs. If, on the other hand, it were proven beyond any doubt to be authentic, I would admit that would strenghthen my faith...and no doubt that of millions or even billions.

You say the shroud has never been a big thing for you. As I stated elsewhere, supposing that indeed it is the miraculously rendered image of Christ. Do you think that Christ would have left it here simply to be ignored? I know that's an academic question since it's authenticity is not established, but if it came to your knowledge that it was authentic, would you regard it differently?

I suppose in one sense I can say it's not a "big thing" for me as I would believe in the life, death, resurrection and divinity of Christ had I never heard of or seen the shroud. Yet, in my constant desire to know Christ as completely as possible, the shroud is a clue...perhaps one that may or may not pan out, but certainly one that, at this time, I can hardly ignore.