From: March 25, 2024
“After he had finished all his sayings in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum” (Luke 7:1 ESV).
The fishing village of Capernaum was strategically located on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee. The major highway carrying trade between Egypt and Damascus called the “Via Maris” (“Way of the Sea”) passed through Capernaum. It was the little town of Capernaum that Jesus chose as his home base during his early ministry. Indeed, the sign on the entry gate to Capernaum today reads, “Capernaum: The Town of Jesus.”
In this chapter from Luke’s gospel, a group of Jewish elders came with a most unusual request, they wanted his help on behalf of a Roman officer and his deathly ill servant. This shows the crossroads of culture that Capernaum was in those days, as the Jewish elders expressed concern and gratitude for this Roman patron who had paid for the construction of their synagogue. So Jesus went with them to heal the Roman officer’s servant.
What a different relationship Jesus had with the Jewish elders and Romans living in Capernaum and their counterparts in Jerusalem. Jesus healed the Roman soldier’s servant at the request of Capernaum’s elders, who described the Roman as a lover of the Jewish people. While in Jerusalem the Jewish elders hated their Roman rulers, and yet, they conspired together to crucify Jesus.
I suppose Jesus could have remained in Capernaum. For that matter, he could have remained in heaven. But he didn’t. Jesus came down from heaven and down from Capernaum and went up to Jerusalem to be crucified.
PRAYER: Dear Father, we pray that Jesus would be welcome in our city just as He was in Capernaum. Yet, we are thankful that He went to Jerusalem to die for our sins. For without His sacrifice we would be lost. Strengthen us to tell the people of our city about Jesus. Go before us Lord, to open their ears to the gospel. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: March 25, 2023
“So why do you keep calling me ‘Lord, Lord!’ when you don’t do what I say?” (Luke 6:46 NLT).
Jesus made it clear that those who call Him “Lord,” should obey His word. He taught that obeying His word would not prevent life’s storms, but it would build a strong foundation that would endure any storm. However, the one who only pays lip service to Jesus as Lord, not doing what He says, will be swept away when storms come.
Life’s storms are inevitable. And when they come, they test the authenticity of our faith. Obedience is proof that one has truly recognized Christ as Lord.
PRAYER: Dear Father, we have confessed You Son, Jesus, as our Lord and Savior. We desire to always follow Him, obeying His Word. Strengthen us by Your Spirit to prove ourselves His disciples by our fruit of obedience and love. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: March 25, 2016
What does it mean to say that “Jesus is Lord?”Jesus challenged his followers by asking why their walk didn’t match their talk. It’s one thing to go around saying that “Jesus is Lord,” but it’s another thing to actually give Him control of every area of your life, obeying His commands. Is there a place in your life that you have yet to submit to Christ? On this Good Friday, when we remember that Jesus willingly gave His life for us, will we willingly surrender our lives to Him? Ask the Spirit to help you take inventory today. In what area of your life are you still retaining control? For if you have not made Christ Lord of all, then He still isn’t really your Lord at all.
From: March 25, 2015
My mother used to pray this Psalm of David, reminding God of our plight after my father died. She was a widow with four children to raise alone, yet not alone. For she called on God to keep His promise.
“Be a father to my children and a husband to me.” I would hear her praying in the early morning before the rest of us awoke.
My mother was a wonderful praying example to her children. She understood the power of praying the psalms, letting them give expression to her deepest longings. Have you tried making the book of Psalms your prayer book?
From: March 25, 2014
Notice the rhythm of operation in Jesus’ early ministry. He often returned to Capernaum as his home base. In this chapter, a group of Jewish elders came with a most unusual request, they wanted his help on behalf of a Roman officer and his deathly ill servant. This shows the crossroads of culture that Capernaum was in those days, as the Jewish elders expressed concern and gratitude for this Roman patron who had paid for the construction of their synagogue. So Jesus went with them to heal the Roman officer’s servant. What a different relationship Jesus had with the Jewish elders and Romans living in Capernaum and their counterparts in Jerusalem. Jesus healed the Roman soldier’s servant at the request of Capernaum’s elders, who described the Roman as a lover of the Jewish people. While in Jerusalem the Jewish elders hated their Roman rulers, and yet, they conspired together to crucify Jesus. I suppose Jesus could have remained in Capernaum, for that matter, he could have remained in heaven, but he left there. And went up to Jerusalem to be crucified.
