Finding Noah's Ark

Did you see the news story recently that some archaeologists claim to have found the remnants of Noah’s Ark? In April a group of Chinese and Turkish explorers announced they had discovered the remains of a wooden structure on Mt. Ararat in eastern Turkey they say is the legendary boat. “It’s not 100 percent that it is Noah’s Ark, but we think it is 99.9 percent that this is it,” said Yeung Wing-Cheung of the Noah’s Ark Ministries International, the research team that made the find.

Not that it’s been unusual throughout the years for such claims. CBS even aired a two-hour prime time special in 1993 called, “The Incredible Discovery of Noah’s Ark.” Turns out that the thrilling testimony of the explorer who saw the ark and recovered a piece of it was all a hoax. The “explorer” was a paid actor, and the authentic piece of ark timber was a piece of pine soaked in soy sauce.

So what to make of this new discovery? While I would be glad to know that the biblical record of the ark was validated by real archaeological evidence, it would not strengthen my faith in Christ and His Word. And if the ark is never found my faith will not be weakened in any measure. God’s Word is enough. I don’t need scientific confirmation for my trust in Him to be complete. If He’s said it in His Word, it’s true and I believe it.

Furthermore, such a discovery of biblical proportions as the ark will most likely not lead anyone to put their faith in Christ.

There’s a story Jesus told in Luke 16 about a rich man and a beggar. The rich man had lived life in luxury every day while the beggar sat at the rich man’s gate, covered with sores, longing to eat the crumbs that fell from the rich man’s table. The beggar named Lazarus was carried upon his death to Abraham’s bosom, meaning the fellowship of believers in heaven. But the rich man went to hell, the place of the wicked.

The rich man in this parable looked up from his place of torment, and from far away saw Abraham with the beggar at his side. He pleaded for Abraham to have pity on him and to “send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.” The one who lived for his selfish indulges on earth, failing to show mercy to the poor, was now the one seeking mercy. But Abraham refused because of the “great chasm” that has been fixed between them, making it impossible for any to cross over from one to the other.

The rich man then begged Abraham to at least send Lazarus to his five brothers who were still alive and warn them, lest they, too, should come to this place of torment. Abraham said, “They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.” The rich man said, “No, father Abraham, but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.”

Now notice carefully Abraham’s reply: “If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead” (see Luke 16:19-31).

There’s the point. Even if someone finds Noah’s Ark and confirms the record of the flood in Genesis, hard-hearted sinners will not repent and turn to Christ. Even if someone rises from the dead and warns unbelievers of their need to repent and receive salvation through Christ Jesus – they will refuse. Jesus was mercilessly beaten and crucified on a cross, yet He rose from the dead and showed himself to His disciples and “gave many convincing proofs that He was alive” (Acts 1:3), and yet the world still refuses to repent and believe in Him.

Moses and the Prophets and the New Testament writings – the holy Scriptures – are God’s infallible, unfailing, unchanging words of hope and salvation. The Bible in all its truthfulness, sufficiency and authority is already enough to “make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus” (2 Tim. 3:15).

Finding the ark or not – what does it matter? Are you listening to God’s Word?