Matthew 4:12-23: Going to Capernaum
Sunday, February 4, 2024
I am still reflecting on last Sunday’s Gospel to consider how it speaks to me today.
When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee.
We look at a map of the Palestine in ancient days to study how Jesus’ actions suggest a plan for our own lives.
We investigate the spiritual, civil and social characteristics of Galilee in Jesus’ time to understand the environment in which he worked, and prayed, and played and we find our question on a PBS Frontline episode. “What kind of place was Galilee at the time of Jesus? Was it a quiet, rustic, peaceful little tranquil place? It looks that way, sure. But the region was known for being a hotbed of political activity and some of it violent . . . But in [an] historical context that region was always a contested region”. We can read more if we want to go further but I realize, as I spend time all week uncovering my own emotions over the past few days, and I wonder . . . what might we do with this story?
When we look for information about Capernaum, we remember that the people of the town rejected Jesus and his miracles, so we go back to today’s Noontime verses.
When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee.
When we find ourselves in a hotbed of political activity, we do not run away. We hold firm quietly to meet threats with grace and love.
Jesus left Nazareth and went to live in Capernaum . . .
When our friends and colleagues suffer persecution, and we know the hatchet is coming our way, we rely on the authority Jesus gives us. We remember that Jesus calls us to outrageous hope.
Jesus went around all of Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and curing every disease and illness among the people.
When we realize that we are in the middle of contested regions where lies replace certainties, we hold tightly to the truth, we listen to our persecutors and pray for them, and we ask that Jesus turn all hearts of stone to hearts of mercy and compassion.
Jesus left Nazareth and went to live in Capernaum . . .
If we want to follow the Christ, we too must journey to Galilee and Capernaum and although we may flinch, we fire up our souls with the love of Christ . . . and we go.
To explore Galilee and Capernaum, click on the links and images for more information.
A Favorite from January 29, 2017.
Images from: http://www.bible-history.com/geography/ancient-israel/galilee.html and http://www.bibleplaces.com and http://www.pbs.org: Galilee, A portrait of Jesus’ World
The Noontimes 