From Rainbows to Rowboats

Los Angeles, CA — (December 24, 2009) – Almost twenty-three years ago, two fishermen made a discovery that rocked the worlds of faith, history, and archaeology. Following a prolonged drought that had significantly reduced sea level in the 1980s, two brothers fishing in the Sea of Galilee discovered an ancient boat that had been submerged in mud for nearly 2,000 years.

That discovery—made on January 24th, 1986—is now a historic artifact, a meticulous reproduction, an inspirational experience, a national museum of antiquities, a book, and a fascinating DVD. The Jesus Boat Revealed is a powerful phenomenon that has brought people around the world together to witness the many miracles experienced by a small Israeli fishing village.

“The boat gives me joy,” says Yuval Lufan, who discovered the vessel with his brother Moishale. “I see people come and express their love and faith; people come to our small Kibbutz from all over the world … from the United States, Nigeria, South Korea, Canada, France, India, Russia, Brazil, and even Australia. They all come to share the miracle and meaning of this boat.”

The Jesus Boat Revealed is a one-hour DVD documentary movie, chronicling the numerous stories surrounding the Jesus Boat’s discovery and excavation through interviews with the people who were there. The film – produced by the Jesus Boat Museum Foundation in conjunction with Solomon Production and Jesus Boat Inc.—reveals the vessel to be a one-of-a-kind, physical touch-point to the exact time and place of Jesus Christ. It also relays the exciting miracles experienced by the people involved.

Weaving two vital, parallel stories, The Jesus Boat Revealed also profiles key people including commanders from the independent war and those instrumental in the establishment of the State of Israel such as Zvi Zamer, former director of Israel’s national intelligence agency, the Mossad.

The Jesus Boat Revealed includes appearances by numerous noteworthy people: Ehud Barak, Israel’s defense minister and labor party leader, and former prime minister of Israel; Pat Robertson, founder of the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ), the Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN), and the Christian Coalition; and Jay Seklow, American attorney and radio talk show host, to name just a few.

During the Jesus Boat’s discovery and excavation, people from Lufan’s Galilee seaside village of Kibbutz Ginosar witnessed many simultaneous and inexplicable events that many believe were miraculous signs from God: one in a million odds of finding a boat in the Galilee were beaten; a rare, brilliant double rainbow crowned their skies; a four-year drought suddenly ended; a rival village volunteered to help; a moonbeam revealed itself; the ninety-five percent odds against a successful excavation were overcome; and a life-long atheist welcomed Christ into his life.

“I am not claiming that our discovery is more important than the science behind it, but I believe the discovery—the spirit of the boat itself—has more heart and more soul than science ever could,” says Lufan. “It’s something very unique, a once in a lifetime thing. I believe God chose my brother and I, two simple fishermen from the Galilee, to find the boat for a reason.”

The excavation, recovery, and scientific analysis of the Jesus Boat confirmed it had been constructed during the time of Christ … and possibly, even, belonged to the messiah himself. The vessel had been constructed from twelve different types of wood, whereas a boat of this style from this time period would normally have been built from two or three types of wood.

Considering the biblical significance of the number twelve, and the numerous miraculous events connected to The Jesus Boat’s discovery and excavation, is it possible all these happenings were merely coincidental?

“We call the Jesus Boat ‘the love boat’ because everything around it brought people together in love,” says Lufan.

Yigal Allon—for whom the Jesus Boat Museum was originally established under the name of Yigal Allon Museum—was a native of Israel and the Galilee, a founding member of Kibbutz Ginosar village, an admired member of the community, and a leader of Israel. In 1954, he organized the Spring Meeting, which brought thousands of people together each year to facilitate discussions between Arab and Jewish students, who were trying to learn how to live and create together.

But the meetings came to an end in 1979 when Allon passed away. Inspired by the Jesus Boat’s discovery, however, Lufan and his brother have revitalized the meeting in Allon’s spirit.

“Discovering the boat gave me a mission that I now fulfill every year,” says Lufan. “Organizing the Spring Meeting is a way to help Arabs and Jews to find peace, and live together in harmony. It’s a huge honor to try to fill Allon’s shoes.”