The Lost Tomb of Jesus: An Inconvenient Truth, or an Invalid Dramatization?

Over twenty years ago, a tomb was found in Jerusalem in a construction site. Twenty years later, a filmmaker is claiming that this is the tomb of Jesus of Nazareth and His family. A further look into the recent film will seek to show whether or not this discovery is an inconvenient truth or an invalid dramatization.

The film by Simcha Jacobovichi is indeed a fine show of cinematography, and as a viewer I found myself (regardless of my personal faith and understanding of the scriptures) eager with anticipation and anxiety to see what the search would present, and what the results of the scientific evidence would prove. The film tugged at the heartstrings of Christian faith, but seemed to make some sort of evidence that this truly could be the tomb of Christ.

Immediately I pulled out a Bible and read along with the references given, and this is where things became a little fuzzy. Taken out of context, the referenced scripture could mean what they were saying, but putting it into context proved another story altogether. During the film, they proposed a scenario that when Christ was hanging on the cross, and moments from death he looked upon his "beloved follower" and Mary stating "This is your son," and "This is your Mother." The proposed scenario was that he was speaking to Mary Magdalene, and their "son" Judah. However, upon inspection of the scripture (and it doesn't take close inspection), it is made clear that He is speaking to his mother: "When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home. John 19:26-27 KJV.