The Relic of St. Jude
Below are 7 examples of relics used in both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible. These examples provide a small part of the rich history that relics hold in Christian history.
1. The Bronze Serpent (Numbers 21:8-9)
When the Israelites were afflicted by venomous snakes, God commanded Moses to make a bronze serpent and set it on a pole. Anyone who looked at the serpent was healed. This is by far one of the clearest examples of a physical object being used as a means through which God’s power brought healing. It’s important to note that some will mention God told them to destroy this relic; however, one could argue that later misuse does not invalidate proper use.
Numbers 21:8-9: “And the Lord said to Moses, ‘Make a fiery serpent and set it on a pole, and everyone who is bitten, when he sees it, shall live.’ So Moses made a bronze serpent and set it on a pole. And if a serpent bit anyone, he would look at the bronze serpent and live.”
2. Elijah’s Mantle (2 Kings 2:8, 13-14)
When the prophet Elijah was taken up to heaven, his mantle (cloak) fell to Elisha. Elisha later used this mantle to part the waters of the Jordan River, demonstrating that the relic of Elijah had a symbolic connection to the passing on of his prophetic power.
2 Kings 2:13-14: “And he took up the mantle of Elijah that had fallen from him and went back and stood by the bank of the Jordan. Then he took the mantle of Elijah that had fallen from him and struck the water, saying, ‘Where is the Lord, the God of Elijah?’ And when he had struck the water, the water was parted to the one side and to the other, and Elisha went over.”
3. Elisha’s Bones (2 Kings 13:20-21)
After the prophet Elisha died, a dead man was revived when his body came into contact with Elisha’s bones. This is a clear example of a relic (Elisha’s bones) being associated with miraculous power, even after the prophet’s death.
2 Kings 13:21: “As a man was being buried, behold, a marauding band was seen, and the man was thrown into the grave of Elisha, and as soon as the man touched the bones of Elisha, he revived and stood on his feet.”
4. The Ark of the Covenant (Exodus 25:10-22; 1 Samuel 4-6)
Probably the most famous relic in the bible, the Ark of the Covenant was a physical object that symbolized God’s presence among the Israelites. It was treated with reverence and even brought victories in battle. When mishandled or approached irreverently, it caused severe consequences, showing its sacred nature as a relic of God’s covenant with Israel.
1 Samuel 5:1-4 tells how the Ark caused destruction among the Philistines, and in Joshua 3:15-16, it is present when the Jordan River is parted.
5. Peter’s Shadow (Acts 5:15)
People brought the sick into the streets so that Peter’s shadow might fall on them, and they were healed. This is an example of a physical association with a holy person leading to miraculous healing.
Acts 5:15: “So that they even carried out the sick into the streets and laid them on cots and mats, that as Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on some of them.”
6. Handkerchiefs and Aprons from Paul (Acts 19:11-12)
Paul’s handkerchiefs and aprons were brought to the sick, and their contact with these objects resulted in healing and the exorcism of evil spirits. This is a clear example of a relic being used for miraculous purposes.
Acts 19:11-12: “God was performing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul, so that handkerchiefs or aprons were even carried from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out.”
7. The Hem of Jesus’ Garment (Mark 5:25-34; Luke 8:43-48)
A woman with a hemorrhage was healed by touching the hem of Jesus’ garment, believing that even this physical connection would convey healing. Jesus acknowledged her faith, and the healing was granted through her contact with His garment.
Mark 5:27-29: “She had heard about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his garment. For she said, ‘If I touch even his garments, I will be made well.’ And immediately the flow of blood dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease.”
