I love the stone pictured to the left.

Archeologists found it among the ruins of an ancient city situated on the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea (the western border of Israel).  It probably just looks like some old stone to you.  Faint carvings are seen in the middle of the stone.  It's been weathered from the centuries that have passed since it was carved.

But I don't love the stone just because it's old.  I love it because of what that ancient carving says.

Before 1961 some historians doubted the existence of one of the key figures in the death of Jesus--Pontius Pilate.  His name appears clearly enough in the Bible, but...well, he doesn't show up in many other places.  HIstorical records, ancient scrolls, papyri, and other documents don't tell us about the man whom the Bible says gave in to the roar of the crowd and ordered Jesus to be crucified.

The lack of extra-biblical evidence caused some to speculate--"Did Pontius Pilate even exist?  Is he a made-up name that only Bible-based Christians believe in?"

But then 1961 rolled around and Italian archeologists found this stone.  Other artifacts helped them date the stone back 2,000 years.  And this is what it said:

"[DIS AUGUSTI]S TIBERIEUM [PO]NTiUS PILATUS [PRAEF]ECTUS IUDA[EA]E [FECIT D]E[DICAVIT]."

"The prefect of Judaea, Pontius Pilate, erected the Tiberium (temple in honor of Tiberius Caesar) to the August Gods"

That's why I love this stone!  "Pontius Pilate", the prefect (governor) of Judea, was ruling at the exact time the Bible says.  Just like I always believed!  And there it is written in stone!  Please allow me to do a "happy dance" here in my office...

Okay, I'm back...and a little winded.

Isn't that amazing!  To be honest, I don't place my faith in every archeological find and theory that makes the papers.  I don't believe in Jesus' death and the truth of the Bible just because they found this stone.  No, my confidence comes through the work of the Holy Spirit within me as I read the Scriptures.

However, I love the fact that the Christian faith is not as "blind" as many would claim.  Yes, the events happened long before my birth, but they were historical events nonetheless.  As I walked through Israel last month, I was overwhelmed by that fact--The ruins are there.  The ancient churches are there.  The tombs are there.  Abraham and David and Herod and Pilate and Jesus are there!

While there are still countless archeological digs to be done and countless proofs to be uncovered, what they've found in the Holy Land is stunning.  I will never read the Bible or teach the Bible in the same way.  A few days in that place has changed me.

The Pilate Stone and the other finds have also taught me this:  Don't worry too much about the evidence.  Christians in 1960 couldn't say much about Pontius Pilate except, "Well, God says so in his Word and I believe him."  Some "historians" may have mocked their simple faith, but proof was on the way.

I remember that story when some new theory arises about this discrepancy or that issue in the Bible.  Sometimes we have the answer from history and archeology.  Sometimes the answer is coming--from a future dig or an unexpected find.  But until it does, we wait in faith and trust that God always tells us the truth.

If you'd like to see and hear more about the amazing land where our Savior walked, please join me on Sunday morning, 2/21 and 2/28, at 9:15 in the fellowship hall at Eastside.  I'll be sharing tons of pictures and stories there.

God's blessings as you walk by faith (and sometimes by sight!),

Pastor Mike