(Original headline: A holy image )
For years, Christians have visited Israel to view the land where Jesus lived and ministered. Tours have shown where he was born, walked and performed miracles.
For Julie Minner and her mother, Grace Askew, a photo a family friend took of a Jewish tomb during a Holy Land trip serves as a reminder of faith for the family who has attended Schweitzer United Methodist Church since 1977.
"In the mid-1920s, mother's friend went to Israel and was going to throw (the photo) away because she thought it didn't take," said Askew.
Instead, the photo was given to Grace Ann DeJoy, Askew's mother. "Mother told her not to throw it away, she would keep it."
DeJoy stored the photo for years before noticing the image of Christ.
"I didn't know why her friend didn't see it. It is so plain that it is Jesus," Askew said.
Years later Minner went to Expo '72 in Dallas where she heard evangelist Billy Graham and decided to accept Jesus as her personal savior. She visited her grandmother in Little Rock on the way home.
"She brought out the photo and asked if I could see anything," Minner said. "I turned it every way and couldn't see it until she held the picture back." Since, Minner has only shown the photo to family and close friends.
"I didn't want anyone to know about the photo. I didn't want to share it with others because I thought that it was sacred. I loaned it to my friend Rick who had cancer and I brought it over to mother when she was going through some hard times.
"But lately I have felt the Holy Spirit has been telling me that I really need to share this picture with the public. We are going through scary times with the war, terrorism and the question of the tribulation and Armageddon being near. I think it will help people find peace."
(Armageddon is the place where the last decisive battle between forces of good and evil is to be fought before Judgment Day, according to Revelation 16:16.)
Similar phenomena have occurred throughout history, say local religious experts who are split in their reactions but agree any situation that brings a person closer to God is a good thing.
The image reflects a resemblance to the Sacred Heart Jesus, a Catholic statue.
The two fingers and the thumb represent the three persons in the Holy Trinity — God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Two fingers represent the two natures of Jesus: God and man.
Barb Schoenberger, who attends Carmelite Monastery, had a similar experience in viewing "The Shadow of the Cross" painting by Henri Ault while visiting the San Francisco de Asis Church Rectory Hall in Ranchos de Taos, N.M.
"It's a beautiful picture of Christ and when the lights are turned off the background glows. Dirt samples have been taken where it was painted and no radioactivity has been discovered. No one can explain why the background glows," she explained of the painting, which in the dark shows a silhouette of Christ carrying a cross over his shoulder. "We had them turn the lights off and on several times. I was absolutely amazed."
Schoenberger said the Catholic Church is never quick to label items as supernatural, but agreed such photos can strengthen a person's faith.
"The painting makes you think of God. When you look at this mysterious picture, it reminds you to lift your eyes to heaven and have contact with God. It's a reminder to pray and be a better person toward others."
She said it is normal for a person to find peace through these images. "That's what God does for us to find peace, peace in him. ... It shows God's love especially in times of trial. We have to be reminded of God's love because a part of being human is we have short-term memory."
On Easter, Minner decided to show her photo to Bob Casady, pastor at Schweitzer.
He said the picture has meaning much like holy images others have seen around the world. "Because of this, we know Christ is present all the time."
He cautions people not to idolize the picture or the experience, but let it point them to Christ.
"In many ways these are tools God uses to reach and touch the heart. It has touched her and others. ... Along life's road we need signs of God's presence, and this is one of God's signs," Casady said.
Marc Turnage, who studies Judaism and Christian origins, said there is no way to determine the location of the photo, but people should not dismiss the phenomenon because it cannot be proved or disproved. He said there have been sightings of Jesus dating back to New Testament times.
"These things can be a source of inspiration."
He says there is nothing wrong in taking encouragement from a miracle or vision. "You can't prove or disprove God in a test tube. It can't be discounted."
James Sewell, chairman of pastoral studies at Baptist Bible College, believes anything is good if it draws people to Jesus, however he is skeptical of the photo. He also notes there is not enough background to prove the location.
"It's too much like a work of art, and it was common back then to take a picture over another picture," he said.
And Sewell said he finds rest in Scriptures rather than religious objects.
"I believe God uses circumstances and events to draw people to his son. People try to get serenity in things and possessions, but the only serenity is in Jesus," he said.
For Minner, the photo provides encouragement.
"There is no doubt Jesus Christ is here. He is the messiah. He is God's son, and it will speak to people who do not believe in Jesus. ... I feel like this picture will bring healing to people. If it helps one person, it is worth it."
