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The headline reads, “Archaeologists Believe They’ve Unearthed Jesus’s Childhood Home” (Popular Mechanics, December 1, 2020). Professor Ken Dark has been credited with making what has been described as “an astonishing find.” It seems that after 14 years of examining a particular dwelling in modern-day Nazareth, Professor Dark has become convinced that it is the house in which Jesus was raised.
It’s interesting to note that a convent of nuns carried out excavations at the site from 1888 until the 1930’s, without finding any proof that the dwelling had been built by Joseph’s hands. A Jesuit priest continued to work the site from 1936 to 1964, without producing evidence which would prove that Christ was raised in the house. Dark, himself, in an article published in 2015, wrote, “Was this the house where Jesus was brought up? It is impossible to say on archaeological grounds, but nor is there any archaeological reason why such an identification need be discounted.”
While no one can be sure of where Christ lived as a child, one can and should be sure of where Christ is living today. Jesus made the statement in John 14:23 that if anyone loves Him and keeps His word, Jesus’ Father would love him, and He and His Father would come and make their home with him. Paul proclaimed that he had been crucified with Christ, and Christ lived in him (Galatians 2:20). Paul instructed the Corinthians to examine themselves to make sure that they knew whether or not Christ was living in them (2 Corinthians 13:5).
Consider these thoughts:
• Christ’s home is in the Christian’s heart (Ephesians 3:17).
• Christ is the home builder. The Christian is His workmanship (Ephesians 2:10), being built into a spiritual house (1 Peter 2:5).
• Christ is the homeowner. The Christian is not his own, as he has been bought with a price (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). The price of the house was Christ Himself (1 Timothy 2:6).
• Christ is the head of the household. Paul stated in Ephesians 1:22 that Jesus is head over all things to the church.
• Christ is the provider of the home. Paul wrote in Philippians 4:19 that God supplies all needs. Man’s greatest need is salvation, and Jesus provides that through His sacrifice on the cross.
• Christ is a permanent resident. The Hebrew writer reminds readers that Christ said He would never leave nor forsake them (Hebrews 13:5).
Knowing where Christ was raised as a boy is insignificant. Knowing that He was raised from the dead and lives today is of vital importance.
Troy Albers
Graeber Road church of Christ
Rosenberg, TX