Teaching In Israel - CAPERNAUM

Of all the sites we will visit, this one certainly ranked up there for me.

This is Capernaum, the Greek form of the Hebrew Kefar Nahum, which means the “village of Nahum”, an Old Testament prophet from over 600 years before Jesus came to live here.

This became the home base for Jesus and His apostles, the place they left from to go on excursions all around the Lake/Sea of Galilee. We are currently on the NW side of the lake.

I’ll never forget the early morning 3 years ago I woke up and read about this place and then came to experience it, like YOU are about to!

Let’s read together.

Mark 1:21–28 (CSB)

They went into Capernaum, and right away he entered the synagogue on the Sabbath and began to teach. They were astonished at his teaching because he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not like the scribes. Just then a man with an unclean spirit was in their synagogue. He cried out, “What do you have to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!” Jesus rebuked him saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” And the unclean spirit threw him into convulsions, shouted with a loud voice, and came out of him. They were all amazed, and so they began to ask each other, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.” At once the news about him spread throughout the entire vicinity of Galilee.

We are about to ENTER THE SAME GROUND that synagogue stood on. Although this synagogue was reconstructed in the 300s, it is 1700 years old and it is built on the same foundation as the synagogue that Mark 1 talks about.

LOOK for the dark colored basalt foundation that’s different from the white limestone the synagogue is built from.

This is the place where Jesus taught! The place where our King proved His authority over demons and blew people away with his teaching.

Jesus did so much more in this little village and I encourage you to read all about it in the references mentioned in your STUDY GUIDE.

This is the village where Jesus called Levi/Matthew the tax collector to follow Him.

And then read what’s next.

Mark 1:29–34 (CSB)

As soon as they left the synagogue, they went into Simon and Andrew’s house with James and John. Simon’s mother-in-law was lying in bed with a fever, and they told him about her at once. So he went to her, took her by the hand, and raised her up. The fever left her, and she began to serve them. When evening came, after the sun had set, they brought to him all those who were sick and demon-possessed. The whole town was assembled at the door, and he healed many who were sick with various diseases and drove out many demons. And he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.

What were they saying, you ask? You ask great questions! Dr. Luke tells us.

Luke 4:41 (CSB)

Also, demons were coming out of many, shouting and saying, “You are the Son of God!” But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew he was the Messiah.

After we leave the synagogue, we will take a few short steps to the traditional site of Simon Peter’s and Andrew’s house! And I hope it hits you like it hit me - The people of Capernaum KNEW where to find Jesus that evening, because they all watched in AWE as he walked from THIS SYNAGOGUE…to THAT HOUSE - right over there!

That is likely the same place where people packed in to hear Him teach - where the paralyzed man was dropped through the roof and Jesus said, “Your sins are forgiven” then healed him! (see Mk 2:1-12).

Finally, I took a further walk by myself…a little further away, remembering what Mark wrote next.

Mark 1:35–39 (CSB)

Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he got up, went out, and made his way to a deserted place; and there he was praying. Simon and his companions searched for him, and when they found him they said, “Everyone is looking for you.” And he said to them, “Let’s go on to the neighboring villages so that I may preach there too. This is why I have come.” He went into all of Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.

I encourage you to take that further walk, just beyond Simon and Andrew’s house, and maybe spend a few moments IN PRAYER - just you and the Father - as Jesus did.

Then, imagine Jesus and His disciples launching from THIS PLACE to spread His good news to people all around this lake.

CLOSING THOUGHTS

First, This is no fantasy or fairy tale. Jesus was a real person who impacted real people in a real place! And this ground is the ground He walked.

Second, Jesus wasn’t content with staying in this place. He purposely went other places to spread His good news. He told His disciples…then…AND NOW…to do the same. May we appreciate all that we see in this land…and then GO to share the good news of Jesus with others.

____________