Simcha Jacobovici thinks he may have found the nails that were used to crucify Jesus. If you have ever seen any of his documentary style films, you have probably noticed he has a penchant for the dramatic. It feels a little bit like archaeology meets the National Enquirer. At any rate, Jacobovici suggests that some nails found in an excavation of a first century Jewish tomb may be the nails that were used to crucify Jesus.
The International Antiquities Authority was not impressed. They stated in an email, “There is no doubt that the talented director Simcha Jacobovici created an interesting film, at the center of which is a genuine archaeological artifact. However, the interpretation presented in it has no basis in the find or in archaeological research.” Nails are often found in ancient burial sites. They were used to inscribe names on sarcophagi (burial boxes).
Like the Shroud of Turin, the nails will no doubt hold some fascination for people. People have always been interested in relics. If such a find should ever be validated, for many people it would be looked upon with a sort of spiritual power beyond its archaeological and historical value. Such a find would be displayed and venerated by pilgrims who would travel great distances to get a glimpse of the very nails that fixed Jesus to the cross.
The sad thing in such a scenario is that the real meaning of the cross is eclipsed. Make no mistake, the crucifixion of Jesus and his resurrection are historical facts. There was a real cross onto which the real body of the historical Jesus was fastened with real nails. I do not take issue with the historicity of the crucifixion. If the nails that fastened Jesus to the cross were found, it would be an important archaeological artifact to be sure. The problem is not that people find interest in the death of Jesus as a historical event. The problem is missing the theological significance of this historical event.
The Apostle Paul stated it succinctly in 1 Corinthians 1:18, “For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” The historical event of Christ’s crucifixion was also the power of God being exercised in the salvation of those who believe. This theme is repeated throughout the New Testament. The apostles viewed the crucifixion as a saving act by which the sinless Christ suffered as a sacrifice for the salvation of sinners. Peter said, “For he himself bore our sins in his body on the cross so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness, for by his wounds you were healed (1 Peter 2:24).” The cross is never less than a historical event. Yet, it is much more. It is a saving event in which Jesus became sin so that all who trust in him could be made righteous (2 Cor. 5:21).
Are the nails really the ones that were used in Jesus’ crucifixion? Who knows. But even if archaeologists were by some strange twist to find the entire cross on which Jesus died, the excitement which would accompany such a find should pale in comparison to the amazement at the fact that the sinless Son of God would humble himself to die on that cross for undeserving sinners. If they find the nails, that’s fine. But let’s not lose the cross in the process.
