The Lost Tomb of Jesus

QUESTION: Is “The Lost Tomb of Jesus” valid?

ANSWER:

Movie director James Cameron’s documentary "The Lost Tomb of Jesus" emphasizes many of the same assumptions that invalidate The Jesus Family Tomb. Thousands of years later, the empty tomb (i.e. no bones) remains accepted as evidence of the historical Jesus. Mark 15:42-47 describes Jesus’ burial, historical reliability of an empty tomb. This accurate account indicates that the site of Jesus’ grave was known to the Jew and Christian alike. If there had not been a resurrection, the Jewish authorities would have simply pointed to an occupied grave on the hillside, exposing the whole affair.

James Cameron’s documentary becomes the latest addition to the list of attempts to dispute the empty tomb, resurrection, and Jesus’ divine nature:

• Jesus’ corpse was stolen and lies were circulated about the resurrection appearances.This theory was revived in the form of 18th century Deism. Following the crucifixion, the disciples were confused, disorganized, fearful, skeptical, and consumed with mourning (Luke 24:37-38; John 20:19, 26) -- psychologically incapable or mentally unequipped to engineer such a wild scheme.
  
  
• Jesus didn’t die on the cross, but was placed alive in the tomb, where He was later revived. Medically, it would have been impossible to survive torture, crucifixion, as well as exposure to the tomb. Remember, it was the Roman soldiers who confirmed Jesus’ death (Mark 15:39; John 19:31-35). A half-dead Jesus in need of medical attention would nullify Him as Risen Lord, Conqueror of Death (Romans 6:9-10; 2 Timothy 1:9-10).
  
  
• The disciples experienced hallucinations of Jesus after His death, which they mistook for His resurrection. The disciples had no anticipation of seeing Jesus alive again on earth, instead waiting to be reunited with Him in God’s Kingdom. Jesus was not seen once, but many times, by many individuals, including: Mary Magdalene (Mark 16:9), other women (Matthew 28:8-9), disciples near Emmaus (Mark 16:12-14), Simon Peter (Luke 24:32-34), apostles (Luke 24:36), 500 brethren (1 Corinthians 15:6), James, who was Jesus’ younger brother (1 Corinthians 15:7).

Hope that is not founded in fact is simply illusion. Jesus of Nazareth’s historical resurrection establishes the factual foundation on which the believer’s hope rests.