“And go quickly and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead, and indeed he is going before you into Galilee; there you will see him. Behold, I have told you.” (Matthew 28:7)
Every Lenten season, someone comes up with an idea to make money off of doubts about the resurrection. It has become an Easter ritual and is exactly why the Discovery Channel unveiled a documentary film on Sunday arguing that ten small caskets discovered in a Jerusalem suburb in 1980 may contain the bones of Jesus and his family.
The documentary, The Lost Tomb of Jesus, alleges that Jesus was buried instead of walking out of his tomb. The evidence the filmmakers use to support their claim are three ossuaries (limestone coffins) found in a cave that they say contain the bones of Jesus, Mary and Mary Magdalene. One of the other coffins bore the name, “Judah, son of Jesus”. They base their claim on the fact that the boxes contain the names of the three Bible icons and statistically estimate the odds of there being another group by the same names as 600 to 1.
On the surface, it makes you think. But when you peel back the veil of deceit that covers the truth, you walk away with a completely different conclusion. Here’s what scholars have to say:
•Amos Kloner, the first archaeologist to examine the site, said the claim is not supported by archaeological standards. “They just want to get money for it,” he told Fox News. When asked about the uncanny combination of names on the boxes, Kloner told World Entertainment News, “It’s was an ordinary middle-class Jewish burial cave. The names on the caskets are the most common names found among Jews at the time.”
•William Dever, another expert who has worked with Israeli archaeologists for five decades told Fox News, “The fact that it’s been ignored tells you something. It would be amusing if it didn’t mislead so many people.”
The verse I selected to lead this week’s devotion should be proof enough that Jesus rose from the dead – that is if you believe what the Word of God says: All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. (2 Timothy 3:16)
The truth is the Bible is the best source for what happened to Jesus. Think about it – the only eyewitness accounts to the fact that Jesus (and his bones) is not in a tomb are in Scripture. Over 500 people saw the resurrected Jesus. In fact, his appearance to the disciples sealed their allegiance to him as the Son of God. When he was crucified, they scattered out of fear for their lives. After the resurrection, they gave their lives for him, some suffering the same fate – death on a cross.
The Apostle Paul, who met the resurrected Jesus, never mentioned an empty tomb, but there’s no doubt what he would say if he were living today. In fact, I think I’ve heard him say it before: “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve. After that he was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. After that he was seen by James, then by all the apostles. Then last of all he was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time.” (1 Corinthians 15:3-8)
Don’t let the smoke and mirrors of filmmaking shake your faith. Hold on what you believe and take delight in what the Word of God has to say.
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