In 2005, archaeologists rushed to northern Israel’s Megiddo prison in hopes of discovering and documenting new archeological finds, before the grounds were prepared for the prison’s expansion. Little did they know, they were about to uncover “one of the most amazing archaeological discoveries since the Dead Sea Scrolls”.1

 

What archaeologists found in that dig, now called the “Megiddo Mosaic,” is the almost perfectly persevered floor of a 3rd century Christian church. The floor is over 500 sq ft and made up of tiny tiles in beautiful designs. It honors many supporters of the church, (including a roman centurion and five women!) and makes a dangerous proclamation about the faith of those who gathered there. In the center of the room there is a stone table, probably where believers took communion together. This church from 230 A.D. was amazingly built and used in a time when Christianity was still illegal—Christians were tortured and executed on the regular for their beliefs. The boldness of building the church in this time is inspiring, but also explains why the mosaic was so well preserved after nearly 1,800 years.

 

The church was abandoned in the early 300’s, and the mosaic floor was already a good foundation for new building. Rather than being destroyed, the mosaic was plastered and covered with roof tiles. Since roof tiles are designed to protect buildings from harsh weather, the mosaic was further protected from erosion, leading to the nearly perfect preservation.

 

But what is it about the mosaic that makes it so incredibly significant? To find that out, we must look to the gift of a woman named Akeptous—she provided the central table, dedicated “to God Jesus Christ”. The name “God Jesus Christ” is written in Greek, in a form called nomina sacra. In the practice of nomina sacra, the scribe shortens the names written, add lines over the top, and dots in between each word, showing reverence for the names. In this case, revering the name of Jesus Christ. With those last three words, Christians around the world are strengthened in their faith, and skeptical claims wither.

 

Islamic scholars and other skeptics often argue the worship of Jesus as God was a later invention, slowly evolving after he died. The Council of Nicaea in 325 A.D. is sometimes cited as the time it entered Christian doctrine. However, this mosaic shows that nearly 100 years earlier, and less than 200 years after Jesus ascended, the early church worshipped Jesus as God.

 

These findings support that the Bible verses which express his deity were not a result of manuscripts tampered with later on. On the contrary, we have even more reason to trust in these verses:

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” – John 1:1.

“Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!” – John 20:28. “Behold, the virgin will [w]conceive and give birth to a Son, and they shall name Him [x]Immanuel,” which translated means, ‘God with us.’” – Matthew 1:23.

“…our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus” – Titus 2:13.

 

As mentioned previously, the group of gathering Christians was a diverse and unexpected group, including an elite Roman and prominent women, not just Jews—or rather, this would be unexpected, if we were not familiar with the Scriptures. Galatians 3:28 preaches an offensive message of equal value for all: “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is [a]neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

 

Even in the honorable mentions on the mosaic, New Testament teachings are supported, seeing as God’s words were being honored among the early Christians in an age of hierarchy and oppression.

 

Another interesting addition are the two fish crafted on the floor. They are reminiscent of Luke 9, when Jesus feeds the 5,000 with two fish and some bread. However, the primary meaning of the fish was likely to symbolize Christianity as a whole. Early Christians didn’t use the cross as their symbol, they used a fish. This is because the Greek word for fish—ICHTHYS—is an acronym for “Jesus (Iesous) Christ (Christos), God’s (Theos) Son (Yios), Savior (Soter)”.

 

This mosaic, preserved by God for 1,800 years, can be an encouragement to all Christians, and a powerful apologetic for the deity of Jesus.

 

 

Written by Abbey Harley