Ancient Christian mosaic containing one of the earliest references to Jesus' divinity unveiled

Ancient Christian mosaic containing one of the earliest references to Jesus' divinity unveiled

Christian Post,

An ancient mosaic located near what's believed to be the site of the prophesied Armageddon contains a reference to Jesus as God, providing insights into early Christian worship during a time when the Roman Empire still persecuted followers of Christ.

one of the oldest Christian prayer halls, is now on display at the Museum of the Bible as part of an exhibition that runs through July 2025. The mosaic bears images of a fish, a symbol of early Christianity, and a Greek inscription that reads "To God Jesus Christ."

Israeli archeologists discovered the mosaic in 2005 during a salvage excavation conducted as part of the planned expansion of the Megiddo Prison. The showing at the Museum of the Bible is the first public presentation of the mosaic, as due to its location on prison grounds, the mosaic was not accessible to the public. 

In addition to the inscription recognizing Jesus as God, the Megiddo Mosaic memorializes the names of five women, perhaps highlighting the role women played in early Christian communities. The mosaic also features the name of the Roman officer who paid for it to be made. 

During a reception celebrating the exhibit's Sunday opening, Museum of the Bible CEO Carlos Campo said the staff believes the mosaic conveys the "transformative power of the Bible." He urged people attending the exhibit's opening to "take a step back" and see the mosaic. 

"Because as I step back, I learn more about the power of this object and what it's trying to say to me about ancient history, about the history of Christianity, about the place there at Megiddo in Israel, and so much more," Campo said. 

"And so, that's what we've come together today to celebrate, that this object really is a way for us to come together, a way for us to see that these tiny little tesserae, these tiny little chips, these beautiful pieces, when placed together, they tell a remarkable story of unity," the Museum of the Bible CEO continued. "

"A remarkable story of a place that brought people in from many different areas, and yet they shared enough in common to understand that they were people who could celebrate, worship, and come together in peace," he said. "And it's what we come together to celebrate today."

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