Capernaum
Matthew 4:12-13 When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he left Judea and returned to Galilee. 13 He went first to Nazareth, then left there and moved to Capernaum, beside the Sea of Galilee, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali.
Jesus spent most of his ministry near “Nahumville” (Caper-nahum) on the north shore of Lake Galilee. There were no paved streets, or public restrooms. The synagogue, reputedly built by the Roman centurion whose servant Jesus healed, was the community center. It was a small fishing village on a main road.
Capernaum was on a major trade route. Peter and his wife owned a house there. Homes were stone with thatched roofs, explaining how a paralyzed man was lowered through the roof for healing there. Jesus chose Capernaum as a center of his early ministry. His first disciples came from there.
Darkness and Death
Matthew 4:14-16 This fulfilled what God said through the prophet Isaiah: 15 “In the land of Zebulun and of Naphtali, beside the sea, beyond the Jordan River, in Galilee where so many Gentiles live, 16 the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light. And for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow, a light has shined.”
As we read the words, “people who sat in darkness” and “those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow,” do we understand the burdens we all carry because of our sins? A prophecy in Isaiah 9:1-4 spoke of One who would shatter the yoke of burden.
We believe that our western democracies are free, but they are not in absolute terms. The truth is, only Jesus can give us true freedom. Isaiah’s Old Testament prophecy began to be fulfilled exactly where it was predicted to be, in Capernaum along the border of Zebulun and Naphtali.
A Light has Shined
Jesus’ message is considered to be foolishness outside of Christianity (1 Corinthians 1:10-18). David sang “the Lord is my light and my salvation” (Psalm 27:1-9). Beginning at Capernaum “a light has shined” into this dark world. Most of Capernaum refused that message. Have we seen this “great light”?
Repent and Turn
Matthew 4:17 From then on Jesus began to preach, “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.”
Some were angered or mocked. A few walked off their jobs to follow him. Are we lost, and desperately in need of this ancient message from Capernaum? In the beginning God said, let there be light, and in the beginning of the new creation, God sheds light into our hearts.
What Jesus wants Preached
Jesus’ preaching began with repentance and the kingdom of heaven. He concluded his ministry preaching repentance and forgiveness (Luke 24:47). Repentance is a continual life-changing experience beginning as a change of heart and brings forth the fruits of an ever changing life, becoming more like God in every way.
Intuitive Decisions
Matthew 4:18-23 One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers—Simon, also called Peter, and Andrew—throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living. 19 Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” 20 And they left their nets at once and followed him. 21 A little farther up the shore he saw two other brothers, James and John, sitting in a boat with their father, Zebedee, repairing their nets. And he called them to come, too. 22 They immediately followed him, leaving the boat and their father behind. 23 Jesus traveled throughout the region of Galilee, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness.
Proverbs suggest not making snap judgments (Proverbs 18:13, Proverbs 19:2, Proverbs 29:20). Yet, we make intuitive spur-of-the-moment decisions every day, sometimes long term. We also see people make impulsive decisions which they don’t stick with, like the seed on stony ground without root and no staying power.
The disciples also made a sudden decision to follow Jesus. It is appropriate to make some choices speedily, even decisions with lifelong consequences. Going with our instincts can be the right choice. If we trust that Jesus will lead us to green pastures, why delay following him? What’s your choice?
Do we see Jesus as the Light in a dark world? What hinders us from fully following Him?
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Readings
Isaiah 9:1-4
1 Nevertheless, that time of darkness and despair will not go on forever. The land of Zebulun and Naphtali will be humbled, but there will be a time in the future when Galilee of the Gentiles, which lies along the road that runs between the Jordan and the sea, will be filled with glory.
2 The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine. 3 You will enlarge the nation of Israel, and its people will rejoice. They will rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest and like warriors dividing the plunder. 4 For you will break the yoke of their slavery and lift the heavy burden from their shoulders. You will break the oppressor’s rod, just as you did when you destroyed the army of Midian.
This is a prophecy about the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, but does it also apply to the Gospel? We speak about freedom, but are we really free in this world that has rejected God? Do we carry a heavy burden because of sin? Do we suffer under the oppressor’s rod?
Psalm 27:1, 4-9
A psalm of David. 1 The Lord is my light and my salvation—so why should I be afraid? The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble?
4 The one thing I ask of the Lord—the thing I seek most—is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, delighting in the Lord’s perfections and meditating in his Temple. 5 For he will conceal me there when troubles come; he will hide me in his sanctuary. He will place me out of reach on a high rock. 6 Then I will hold my head high above my enemies who surround me. At his sanctuary I will offer sacrifices with shouts of joy, singing and praising the Lord with music. 7 Hear me as I pray, O Lord. Be merciful and answer me! 8 My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.” And my heart responds, “Lord, I am coming.” 9 Do not turn your back on me. Do not reject your servant in anger. You have always been my helper. Don’t leave me now; don’t abandon me, O God of my salvation!
How many of us feel this way about church attendance. Though we worship in spirit and truth, and the church is not the building, do we consider it a delight to be with God’s people during weekly worship? Is it our weekly delight, our place to give Him special offerings?
1 Corinthians 1:10-18
10 I appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the church. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose. 11 For some members of Chloe’s household have told me about your quarrels, my dear brothers and sisters. 12 Some of you are saying, “I am a follower of Paul.” Others are saying, “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Peter,” or “I follow only Christ.”
13 Has Christ been divided into factions? Was I, Paul, crucified for you? Were any of you baptized in the name of Paul? Of course not! 14 I thank God that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 for now no one can say they were baptized in my name. 16 (Oh yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas, but I don’t remember baptizing anyone else.) 17 For Christ didn’t send me to baptize, but to preach the Good News—and not with clever speech, for fear that the cross of Christ would lose its power.
18 The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God.
Some theologians call themselves, Pauline, “of Paul.” Being “of Peter” still exists in one part of the church. How should we Christians act? Paul pleads with the church that there be “no divisions,” “to live in harmony with each other,” to “be of one mind, united in thought and purpose.”
Matthew 4:12-23 In Rhyme
Hearing John was in custody
Jesus returned to Galilee
First Nazareth, then Capernaum
By Naphtali and Zebulun
Just like Isaiah’s prophecy
In Zebulun and Naphtali
Beyond the Jordan by the sea
Where Gentiles live in Galilee
Those in the dark have seen a great light
In death’s shadow a light shone bright
And Jesus preached, Repent of sins
Turn to God; the Kingdom begins.
One day along Galilee’s shore
Peter and Andrew, Jesus saw
Casting a net into the lake
For they fished, a living to make
Jesus called out, Come, follow me
And fishers of men you will be!
They followed Him immediately
As did the sons of Zebedee
Jesus went throughout Galilee
And taught in their assembly
Preached the Good News of the Kingdom
Healed disease and sickness victim
