December 23, 2009
Home in Nazareth Dates to Time of Jesus
Archaeologists uncover a modest two room house with a
courtyard.
Home in Nazareth Dates to Time of Jesus
Archaeologists uncover a modest two room house with a
courtyard.
SUMMARY: Archaeologists in Israel say they have uncovered a home in the
modern city of Nazareth dating to the time of Jesus. "Until now a number of
tombs from the time of Jesus were found in Nazareth; however, no settlement
remains have been discovered that are attributed to this period," said
Yardenna Alexandre, director of the Israeli Antiquities Authority. The house
was small and modest and probably typical for dwellings in that town at the time.
In the excavation, a large wall dating to the 15th century was discovered sitting
on top of the ancient house. This home which dated to the time of Jesus
consisted of two rooms and a courtyard with a cistern for collecting rainwater.
The few artifacts found were mostly fragments of pottery vessels. Among the
discoveries were several fragments of chalk vessels which the Jews used
because the vessels were not susceptible to becoming ritually unclean, the
researchers said.
The discovery of the house was made during an excavation in advance of the
construction in Nazareth of the International Marian Center, which will illustrate
the life of Mary. A group in Nazareth plans to conserve and display the home's
remains in the Center which will be constructed next to the Church of the
Annunciation which Catholics believe was the spot where Mary once lived. The
Church of the Annunciation is built over two older churches and a cave some
believe was the home of Jesus' family.
(Picture of modern Nazareth from Wikimedia Commons.)
To read the entire article click on this link to CNN.
COMMENT: As we approach another Christmas celebration, this news seems
quite appropriate. And it was uplifting to read a story in the secular media
about science that might add to our understanding of places and events
recorded in the Holy Bible but which doesn't try to undercut the Word of God.
While we think about the earthly house of Jesus, we can compare it to His
other home in heaven. For us, the earthly home of Jesus is in the past; his
heavenly home for us is in the future. His earthly house was likely very
modest; his heavenly home will be more glorious than we can imagine. While
living in His house in Nazareth Jesus was surrounded by sin; in His heavenly
mansion, sin will be nowhere to be found. In Nazareth there was pain,
suffering and unhappiness; in the new Paradise there will be peace and joy
our current vocabulary cannot begin to describe.
So this is why we can sing “Joy to the World” during this Christmas season.
Jesus Christ left His beautiful home in heaven to come to earth to save the
world’s people from their sins. For those of us who have come to faith in Him
as our Savior, this forgiveness and salvation is by far the best gift we can ever
hope to receive.
**************************************************************************************
Want to be automatically notified each time there is a new post? Just e-mail your
request to [admin@lutheranscience.org].
**************************************************************************************
QUESTION OF THE DAY
Does burning wood in a fireplace reduce the cost of heating the home?
**************************************************************************************
NOTE ON VISITOR COMMENTS: Visitor comments are invited including those
containing alternate views. However, comments containing profanity or
advertisements will not be published. After posting a comment, please allow
several hours for it to appear on the blog.
**************************************************************************************
modern city of Nazareth dating to the time of Jesus. "Until now a number of
tombs from the time of Jesus were found in Nazareth; however, no settlement
remains have been discovered that are attributed to this period," said
Yardenna Alexandre, director of the Israeli Antiquities Authority. The house
was small and modest and probably typical for dwellings in that town at the time.
In the excavation, a large wall dating to the 15th century was discovered sitting
on top of the ancient house. This home which dated to the time of Jesus
consisted of two rooms and a courtyard with a cistern for collecting rainwater.
The few artifacts found were mostly fragments of pottery vessels. Among the
discoveries were several fragments of chalk vessels which the Jews used
because the vessels were not susceptible to becoming ritually unclean, the
researchers said.
The discovery of the house was made during an excavation in advance of the
construction in Nazareth of the International Marian Center, which will illustrate
the life of Mary. A group in Nazareth plans to conserve and display the home's
remains in the Center which will be constructed next to the Church of the
Annunciation which Catholics believe was the spot where Mary once lived. The
Church of the Annunciation is built over two older churches and a cave some
believe was the home of Jesus' family.
(Picture of modern Nazareth from Wikimedia Commons.)
To read the entire article click on this link to CNN.
COMMENT: As we approach another Christmas celebration, this news seems
quite appropriate. And it was uplifting to read a story in the secular media
about science that might add to our understanding of places and events
recorded in the Holy Bible but which doesn't try to undercut the Word of God.
While we think about the earthly house of Jesus, we can compare it to His
other home in heaven. For us, the earthly home of Jesus is in the past; his
heavenly home for us is in the future. His earthly house was likely very
modest; his heavenly home will be more glorious than we can imagine. While
living in His house in Nazareth Jesus was surrounded by sin; in His heavenly
mansion, sin will be nowhere to be found. In Nazareth there was pain,
suffering and unhappiness; in the new Paradise there will be peace and joy
our current vocabulary cannot begin to describe.
So this is why we can sing “Joy to the World” during this Christmas season.
Jesus Christ left His beautiful home in heaven to come to earth to save the
world’s people from their sins. For those of us who have come to faith in Him
as our Savior, this forgiveness and salvation is by far the best gift we can ever
hope to receive.
**************************************************************************************
Want to be automatically notified each time there is a new post? Just e-mail your
request to [admin@lutheranscience.org].
**************************************************************************************
QUESTION OF THE DAY
Does burning wood in a fireplace reduce the cost of heating the home?
**************************************************************************************
NOTE ON VISITOR COMMENTS: Visitor comments are invited including those
containing alternate views. However, comments containing profanity or
advertisements will not be published. After posting a comment, please allow
several hours for it to appear on the blog.
**************************************************************************************
0 Comments
| LSI stands for the Lutheran Science Institute, an organization of WELS and ELS Lutherans interested in science and health issues with a special emphasis on the creation and evolution controversy. This blog's purpose is to search the Internet to find articles of interest to Christians. Views expressed are those of the author (Warren Krug) and are not necessarily those of the Lutheran Science Institute, Inc. |
BEST WISHES FROM THE
LUTHERAN SCIENCE INSTITUTE
FOR A MOST BLESSED
CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR.
LUTHERAN SCIENCE INSTITUTE
FOR A MOST BLESSED
CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR.
Surprisingly, just the opposite. A fire pulls already
heated air from the rest of the house which in turn
draws cold air into the house wherever it has leaks.
While some of the heat from the fire radiates into
the room, most of this heat goes up the chimney.
To reduce heat loss, close off the room with the
fireplace as much as possible and leave a window
near the fire open a crack.
Source: Marily vos Savant in Parade (November 1,
2009
heated air from the rest of the house which in turn
draws cold air into the house wherever it has leaks.
While some of the heat from the fire radiates into
the room, most of this heat goes up the chimney.
To reduce heat loss, close off the room with the
fireplace as much as possible and leave a window
near the fire open a crack.
Source: Marily vos Savant in Parade (November 1,
2009
