Living Room Mikveh

What do you think this is a picture of? 

It may seem strange that I would post such a photo on this blog, but a story in the "Bible History Daily," a newsletter from the Biblical Archaeology Society, caught my eye.

This is the living room of a Jewish family in Ein Kerem, a quiet suburb just outside Jerusalem. During renovations, this family discovered a mikveh under the floor of their home. 

What is so significant about an approximately 2,000-year-old archaeological discovery underneath a modern-day Jewish home?

A mikveh was a Jewish ritual purification water pool. Immersion in these pools was a common occurrence and of extreme significance. In typical Second Temple Period style, as seen in many mikva'ot (plural of mikveh), this mikveh has steps leading down into it.

To Christians, there is little doubt that the Jewish mikveh was a precursor of Christian baptism. When a person became a follower of Yeshua/Jesus, he or she immersed in a mikveh. Several instances of such immersions are recorded in the New Testament book of Acts. 

I find it interesting that none of these people resisted immersion, such as is often the case in modern-day America, where baptism is no longer considered important. Why didn't New Testament followers of Jesus resist baptism just as vehemently as many do today? 

Because they implicitly understood the symbolism and high importance of immersion in a mikveh, or baptism, as it is called in the New Testament. It was so innate to their culture that they inherently understood the significance of being immersed in a mikveh "for the remission of sins" (Acts 2:38) They knew that mikva'ot were designed for spiritual cleansing and renewal. 

Many, many mikva'ot have been discovered in Israel, especially in Jerusalem. For Christians, these archaeological finds are thrilling when we understand their significance. They reinforce the biblical purpose and importance of Christian baptism.

I plan to write a series of "Walking Ancient Paths" blog posts in 2016 about mikva'ot. I have already researched this topic somewhat and found it to be rich with meaning that I think many Christians will find just as interesting and exciting as I do. An ancient Jewish mikveh is just one more example of the Bible's authenticity! The Bible is still a book that can be trusted.

For more information about this living room discovery, check out: 

http://www.antiquities.org.il/Article_eng.aspx?sec_id=25&subj_id=240&id=4126

The above photo is from antiquities.org.il. The article on the Israel Antiquities Authority website is called "A Two Thousand Year Old Secret Below the Living Room Floor-July 2015."