Jez:
I've been fighting off my colds all week, too. I took off early on Friday afternoon, and am still struggling with tonsilitus
I believe you weight this story more than just a story...
What would make you believe that?
...and while I do find it interesting, I don't think it has anything to teach us anymore.
And yet you confess you've failed to take into account that there may be a meaning beyond the "face-value"
My personal take on it is that it's an attempt at explaining "spiritual" death. I wouldn't be dogmatic on that, however.