The Bones of Jesus

The Bones of Jesus. They have gotten a lot of attention, haven't they? If you have been under a rock, or fortunate enough to miss the hoopla, the Discovery Channel has a program that will be airing soon entitled "The Lost Bones of Jesus." Although it probably shouldn't, it still amazes me at the lengths people will go to in their effort to deny Jesus' resurrection.

I guess a few thoughts instantly come to mind...

1. It's hard for me to take these kind of claims seriously. Identifiable DNA from 30 A.D.? Come on! Who will we unearth next? Julius Caesar. Maybe next year, it will be Alexander the Great. My vote is for Hannibal. And, why are people always trying to disprove the biblical account of Jesus? Why would he be the target, year after year, of a barrage of skepticism?
   
   
2. It seems like there has to be another motivation ($) for these kinds of things! If you can generate a buzz (i.e. The Da Vinci Code), then it means success ($). People from both sides of the debate will show interest, and that interest can translate into something very valuable ($). Who cares about whether it is fact or fiction? The important thing is the attention ($) you can get. Another factor with these types of things is that they always seem to come out around Easter. Since many people are thinking of Jesus, it must be an excellent time to get people's attention ($).
   
   
3. These types of things come and go all the time. I mentioned Da Vinci, but we also have been treated to such things as the Gospels of Thomas and Judas, and their farcical suggestions. To question the validity of Jesus' ministry and resurrection, you will have to stand in a long line of people since the days of Pilate. Many skeptics have come, many have gone, and yet the message of Jesus still remains.
   
   
4. Christians should not be scared of such "revelations." If anybody should be desirous of the truth to come out, it should be us. We know the Truth personally (see John 14:6). He lives in us, and the Holy Spirit is called the Spirit of truth (and one of his ministries is to guide believers into truth).
   

Well, these things come and go, and the Word of God stands forever. Here is some additional reading, if you're interested.

• John Piper has written here concerning his belief that Jesus has risen from the dead.
• If you enjoy going deeper, another theologian, Ben Witherington has written a more complex article here.

Thankful they will NEVER find the bones of Jesus,
--Curtis