It seems like there have been a slew of archaeological finds related to the bible or Jesus lately. Here is another.
Piece Of Jesus' Cross Found? Archaeologists Discover 'Holy Thing' In Balatlar Church In Turkey
Archaeologists working in Turkey believe they have found a piece of the cross that Jesus was crucified on. While excavating the ancient Balatlar Church, a seventh-century building in Sinop, Turkey, on the shores of the Black Sea, they uncovered a stone chest that contained objects that may be directly connected with Jesus Christ. Excavation head Professor Gülgün Köroğlu definitively stated:
We have found a holy thing in a chest. It is a piece of a cross, and we think it was [part of the cross on which Jesus was crucified]. This stone chest is very important to us. It has a history and is the most important artifact we have unearthed so far.
The stone chest has been taken to a laboratory for further testing. However, the appearance of the chest suggests that it was a repository for the relics of a holy person, according to the team, who showed reporters at the site a stone with crosses carved into it. Many churches claim to possess relics of the so-called "true cross," though the authenticity of the items is not fully accepted by scholars and scientists. Protestant theologian John Calvin noted that, "if all the pieces that could be found were collected together, they would make a big ship-load," referring specifically to the cross.
"Ship-load." Yup. That's about the size of it. When I traveled through Italy, there was a relic in every church. "Here is a piece of John the Baptist's finger!" Or "Here is a part of Jesus' garment!" Or "Look at this shard of the goblet at the last supper!" Or "here is a bone from Saint Peter!" I admit the body parts floating in reliquaries was ghoulish in the extreme.
Turkey is a Muslim state. We often forget that it is the cradle of Christianity. The seven churches were there. Some believe that western Turkey was the location of the Garden of Eden
It is believed that agriculture began in Turkey. Earliest man grew things there. Perhaps Cain? (Genesis 4:2-3).
Two days ago, the site at Laodikeia was added to the UNESCO historical sites
This link has a list of other recent discoveries
This is from last week-
Israeli Archaeologists Claim to Have Found a Palace of King David
We revere the Man-God who was hung on the cross, and we remember the cross, but we do not revere the cross itself. It is a wooden piece, passing away and decomposing, but Jesus will never pass away nor will His word pass away. (Matthew 24:37). Can you imagine the frenzy to "test" this piece of wood for DNA? To "test" it to prove or disprove Christianity?
Our faith rests not on relics but on the living Jesus and His sterling word. The cross won't be in heaven, but Jesus will be. And that is all that matters. We long to be where He is, resurrected and ruling in perfection and justice.
