First Miracles in Capernaum
Miracles of Jesus • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Introduction
Introduction
The next three miracles all take place in the town of Capernaum. These three miracle stories play an important role, because they both announce and demonstrate the authority of Jesus.
Healing In The Synagogue
Healing In The Synagogue
Our story begins in the town of Capernaum. Located on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee, and home to several of the disciples, Capernaum quickly became the hub of the early ministry of Jesus. In the Luke passage, we are told that Jesus went down to Capernaum. The term down has to do with elevation. Jesus traveled from Nazareth which was about 1,200 feet above sea level to Capernaum that was about 700 feet below sea level (see map on the back page. So Jesus actually went down in elevation.
Next, we are told that these events took place on the Sabbath. Jesus and his small group of disciples went to the Synagogue at Capernaum, where Jesus began to teach.
They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach.
Then he went down to Capernaum, a town in Galilee, and on the Sabbath he taught the people.
One of the themes that we see in these stories is the amazement of the people. They are amazed at Jesus’ teachings. They were amazed because Jesus taught them as one who had authority (Mk. 1:22). We are even told that His teaching was vastly different than the teachings of the teachers of the law because of His perceived authority.
While the people in the crowd that day perceived the power and authority that Jesus possessed, there was one man who Jesus’ authority effected more than the others around him.
In Mark 1:23 we read, “Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an impure spirit cried out, ‘What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!’” (cf. Luke 4:34 “‘Go away! What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!’” ). The impure spirit (demon) that dwelled in this man knew exactly who Jesus was—the Holy One of God! But the demon also knew that Jesus had the power to destroy them. In our passage the demon asks if Jesus is there to destroy “us.” Most likely, the demon wants to know if Jesus is going to do away with ALL the demons like He will at the end of the millineal reign of Christ.
“Go away! What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!”
Jesus gave the demon an immediate and decisive response. Since it was not time for Jesus identity as the Messiah to be fully revealed, Jesus ordered the demon to be silent (Mk. 1:25
“Be quiet!” said Jesus sternly. “Come out of him!”
In the same breath, Jesus commanded the demon to leave the man.
In Mark 1:26 we read:
The impure spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek.
In Luke 4:35 we read that despite the violent shaking of the man, the demon left without injuring him.
“Be quiet!” Jesus said sternly. “Come out of him!” Then the demon threw the man down before them all and came out without injuring him.
This first miracle preformed in Capernaum, ended with the people even more amazed at the power of Jesus’ teachings. They even asked,
The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, “What is this? A new teaching—and with authority! He even gives orders to impure spirits and they obey him.”
And as a result we are told that the news about Jesus quickly spread throughout the region.
News about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee.
The Healing of Peter’s Mother-in-Law
The Healing of Peter’s Mother-in-Law
The second miracle that Jesus preformed in Capernaum happened the same day. When Jesus and His disciples left the synagogue, they went to the home of Simon (later called Peter). When they arrived, they discovered that Peter’s mother-in-law was sick with a high fever Mk. 1:30 (cf. Lk. 4:38; Matt. 8:14).
Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they immediately told Jesus about her.
The household immediately told Jesus about her illness. In Mark 1:31 we see Jesus’ response,
So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them.
As soon at Peter’s mother-in-law experiences the healing touch of Jesus, she began to serve Him.
The first miracle that Jesus preformed in Capernaum demonstrated Jesus power over the spiritual world. His second miracle in Capernaum demonstrated His power over the physical world. So, Jesus is Lord over both the seen (the physical world) and the unseen (the spiritual world).
The Healing of Many
The Healing of Many
Both the Gospels of Mark and Luke record that after sunset, the people of Capernaum gathered together “ALL” those who were sick and demon possessed and brought them to Jesus.
That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed.
At sunset, the people brought to Jesus all who had various kinds of sickness, and laying his hands on each one, he healed them.
When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick.
Since, this story takes place on the Sabbath, it makes sense that this third “group” of miracles took place after sunset. That’s because it would have been unlawful for the people to carry the lame and injured to Jesus on the Sabbath. Thus, they had to wait on the sun to go down, but once it did we’re told the whole town gathered at the door. Jesus spent the night healing the sick and driving out demons, but He did not allow the demons to speak about His true identity.
and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was.
Moreover, demons came out of many people, shouting, “You are the Son of God!” But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew he was the Messiah.
While, this third miracle preformed at Capernaum reinforced the power and authority of Jesus, it did much more. Matthew 8:17 reminds us that these actions were fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah
This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: “He took up our infirmities and bore our diseases.”
Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted.
The Septuagint writes it this way:
“He took up our infirmities and bore our diseases” (Is. 53:4 Septuagint).
As Jesus begins His ministry here on earth, the people of Capernaum receive a front row seat as they experience the power and authority of Jesus, God’s promised Messiah. These stories remind us that today Jesus continues to be Lord over both the physical world, and He continues to be Lord over the spiritual world. For He is God, and Lord over ALL!