Day 05 - Galilee: Capernaum, Chorazin, Bethsaida, Upper Jordan

"And he (Jesus) went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people." - Matthew 4:23

Yesterday we discussed the beginning of Jesus' ministry. Today, we experienced the truth that, "Jesus always vindicates his words with his works." Our day started at the port city of Capernaum. In the first century, Capernaum was a city of roughly 1500-3000 people and was important because it was a trade city along the Via Maris (the Way of the Sea) which was one of the most important trade routes in the Roman Empire. For Jesus, this was purposeful. He came to proclaim to the world salvation through repentance and faith (Mark 1:15) and this city  would have been a place many would have passed along and heard the message within. Throughout the course of his ministry he taught in synagogues, healed the sick, and called sinners to repentance. As we sat in one of these synagogues, we were taught through Matthew 8:1-13, Mark 1:21-28, 2:13-17, and John 6:26-59. We also sat by the shore of the Sea of Galilee and learned about the calling of Levi (also called Matthew). Levi, a tax collector and no doubt a despised traitor amongst his people, is offered a new way of life by Jesus. Levi responds in faithful obedience and throws a feast for Jesus with his friends. Jesus CHOSE  despicable tax collector. If he chose this man, then why do we as his followers treat sinners as if they have no hope? Eating leads to intimacy and Jesus wanted intimacy with sinners. Not only this, but Jesus can change sinners and make them his very sons. Do we make others work to be our friends? We ought to dine with those who are broken so that we might show them the one who can heal them. 

The people were amazed by his teachings but their amazement was in his works and not truly in him. The reality is that your faith is ALWAYS looking for its object. And if its object is not in the person of Jesus, it is a void faith. It is viable to feelings and circumstances, and the object of our faith determines the quality of life. Jesus is the "bread of life" (6:35). The life Jesus promises throughout the gospel is defined by the Greek word "Zoe." This word refers to a life of quality. It is living the life that God intended us to live. He is the bread of "Zoe". Whoever eats of this bread never goes hungry again because the life he offers is so much sweeter than all bitter alternatives. Now I ask you at home a question to ponder: Do you really trust that Jesus knows the good life? Do you believe that Jesus' bread can satisfy your hungry heart? 

Second, we drove to the hill of Chorazin, another city that Jesus frequented and taught at. Our tour guide gave us an in-depth lesson on Jewish synagogues and how traditional Jews taught the Torah to their children. They were deeply dedicated to teaching their children about the sweetness of the Word of God. This brought to life several of the teachings of Jesus! Context is everything in understanding the Word of God properly. 

Third, we drove to the last city in the triangle, namely Bethsaida. We looked at Mark 8:22-26 where Jesus healed a blind man in this town. One of the identifiers of the Messiah was that he was going to open the eyes of the blind (Isaiah 25:4-6). Jesus reveals himself clearly to those around him and yet many do not believe. We were challenged by the disciples' blurry vision (as reflected by the blind man's vision) and how this relates to our own willful desire to not repent despite knowing what is right. 

Now what is the one thing that all three of these towns have in common? They all fail to believe that Jesus' works vindicate his words. Their unbelief consumes them. May the same not be said about us!

The last part of the day was one of the most impactful for us all! We had the privilege of watching several of our Forge brothers and sisters be baptized in the Jordan river. We are reminded that baptism is more than a symbol  of New Life. It is a naming ceremony. For those who are in Christ, they are a new creation. Buried WITH Christ and IN Christ. Raised in the newness of life. What a joy to behold those whom we love be renamed into the new life and declare to us all their full allegiance to Jesus!

Friends, we are truly blessed to be here. The very ground we walk has touched the sandals of our most precious Savior! May we behold him more clearly, and as we behold him, know that he can and cares to make us more like himself!