‘Footsteps’ examines key sites in Jesus’ life

The four-part Easter week special “In the Footsteps of Jesus” journeys to its conclusion in tonight’s edition, “Mysteries of Golgotha” (9 p.m., History Channel).

In the first three segments, modern scholars posed questions about Jesus’ mysterious early years, examined new archeological explorations at the Sea of Galilee and debated the true location of the Last Supper.

Now, Part 4 looks at some of Christianity’s most important sites, the Jerusalem locations where Jesus was said to have been crucified, entombed and resurrected. The sites have been fought over by sects and venerated by pilgrims for centuries, but are they authentic?

Even if the question can’t be answered definitively, the effort adds valuable historical context to the stories of the Bible, lending perspective to tradition.

The Rock of Calvary at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, for example, where Jesus was crucified, is the source of one scholarly debate. Some skeptics say it looks too small and hollow for Roman soldiers to have used it for the crucifixion of Jesus and two others, putting it at odds with the New Testament story, although others say it may have been chipped or broken over time.

Some believe the Garden Tomb nearby could be the actual site where Jesus was put to rest, although many historians call that site inappropriate for the period and culture. Says one: “It’s a lovely spot but not the tomb of Jesus.”

One devout scholar says he hopes that the shrine at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher is never proved beyond doubt to be the actual tomb of Jesus.

If it were, people might worship the tomb rather than Jesus, he says, adding, “We need to remember that belief is faith.”