Jesus from house to house (2) In Capernaum, at home

"[Jesus] entered Capernaum again a few days later, and it was learned that he was at home. Immediately many people assembled there, so that there was no more room, even near the door; And he proclaimed to them the Word. "Mark 2: 1, 2

 

At the beginning of his ministry, Jesus, coming from Nazareth, went to Capernaum to live there (Matt. 4:13). He makes it so often his "headquarters" that this locality is called "his city" (Matt 9: 1; Mark 2: 1). Capernaum is quoted sixteen times in the Gospels, making it the most quoted place after Jerusalem.

It was at Capernaum that Jesus healed Peter's mother-in-law with a high fever, the servant of a centurion of paralysis ; That he is delivering a demoniac, that he heals the son of an officer of King Herod Antipas and a large number of other sick. The list is long…

It is in the house that he occupies, no doubt that of Peter and Andrew his brother, that he announces the Word and teaches his disciples.

At the time, Capernaum was a village of fishermen and peasants with no more than 1,000 inhabitants. We understand that the presence of Jesus "at home" could not remain unnoticed for a long time.

That day, as soon as they returned home, the crowd gathered together (verse of the day). It is so dense that four men must bring a paralyzed man by the roof to the feet of Jesus to heal him. "Jesus, seeing their faith, said to the paralyzed : My child, your sins are forgiven". Then, before the specialists of the Law, he healed the patient. On another occasion, the crowd is such before the house that Jesus and his disciples can not even eat (Mark 3:20).

Despite the teaching and works of Jesus, the inhabitants of Capernaum did not repent. The gospels do not say that they mocked Jesus, that they ridiculed him, threatened him with death, driven him out ... yet their indifference to Christ - the sin of Capernaum - was more serious than the wickedness of Jesus. Sodom (Matthew 11:23).

Do not be discouraged, even if we bathe in an atmosphere of indifference towards Jesus, even hostility. Is my "home" a welcoming house, a mission site, a stepping stone for service ? When the mother of Peter's wife was healed that same evening, "the whole city was gathered at the door, and Jesus healed many who suffered from various diseases" (Mark 1:32).

Source (Please the Lord)