Jesus In India — Page 29
J e s u s i n I n d i a 29 rest during his journey. Food and water are indeed necessary for mortal bodies in this world, and their lack could prove fatal. Hence, there is no doubt that Jesus did not die on the cross, and did not acquire a new spiritual body: rather, he was in a state of coma which resembled death. And it so happened, by God’s mercy, that the tomb in which he was placed was not like the tombs we have in this country; it was a large and ventilated room with an opening. It was a custom with the Jews in those days to build large sepulchers with an access; they were kept ready and when someone died, his body was placed there. We find a clear testimony of this in the Gospels. Luke says, Now upon the first day of the week very early in the morning, they (the women) came unto the sepulchre bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them. And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre and they entered in and found not the body of the Lord Jesus. (Luke 24:2-3) 11 Consider for a moment the words, ‘ they entered’. Obviously, a man can only enter a tomb which is like a room and has an opening. I shall again state at its proper place in this book that the tomb of Jesus which has recently been discovered in Srinagar, Kashmir, also has an opening. This is a very special point and researchers can draw meaningful conclusions from it. Among the testimonies of the Gospels are the words of Pilate, recorded by St. Mark: And now when the even was come, because it was the preparation, that is the day before the Sabbath, Joseph of 11 This seems to be a misprint in the first edition. The correct reference is Luke 24:1-3. [Translator]