Capernaum by the Sea – denisebalog…Grace filled devotionals.

He Healed Them All – Last in the Series of Walking about Capernaum

I know on any given day it is next to impossible for me to stop by and visit with each of my WordPress neighbors. The confines of life and time prevent even the most willing of reader and neighbor from doing so. Then there was Jesus.

Two thousand year ago, in His first recorded miracle of changing the water to wine at the wedding in Cana, stepped into Capernaum. Jesus, our Bridegroom, steps into our lives to do the same today. Jesus path to our door. Touching our lives, health, homes, relationships with His miracles of refreshing joyous life, even when our “jars” have gone dry and all hope is lost.

Cana Wedding – Jars displayed in Church located on the site of Jesus first miracle.

Oh, the marriage supper of the Lamb and His Bride.

“…for He has covered me with the robe of righteousness…and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.” Isaiah 61:10

Jesus, drawing all people to Himself to raise the dead, heal, touch, embrace, change lives, give new direction, and touch hearts. Jesus of Capernaum. Jesus the same yesterday, today and forevermore.

God Bless and Shalom!

“Let us rejoice and exult and give Him glory,

For the marriage of the Lamb has come, and

His Bride has made herself ready…

Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.”

Revelation 19:6-9 (ESV)

“Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and

I will give your rest.” Matthew 11:28 (ESV)

Photos captured by denisebalog 2011 – 2014©

He Prays for Us – Capernaum Part Ten

“And when He had sent the multitudes away,

He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray.” Matthew 14:23 NKJV

Mount Arbel is believed to be the location where Jesus would have gone to pray for it is walking distance from the Capernaum on the Sea of Galilee, and its vantage point of more than 1000 feet over-looking the Lake.

“Now when evening came,

The boat was in the middle of the sea;

And He was alone on the land.” Mark 6:47 NKJV

“Then He saw them straining at rowing,

For the wind was against them.” Mark 6:48 NKJV

“Now about the fourth watch of the night,

He came to them…” Mark 6:49 NKJV

Right when we think no one cares, all hope is lost,

“He came to them, walking on the sea…” Mark 6:49 NKJV

Jesus prays for us.

Sees us in our “rowing” state of mind;

And when the “winds” are blowing hard against us,

Jesus – right on time.

“…since He always lives to make intercession for (us).” Hebrews 7:25 NKJV

Photos captured by denisebalog 2011 – 2014©

Thunder Changes Direction – Capernaum Part Nine

What of James and John, the sons of Zebedee?

Jesus passed by their work place and their course of life, and names changed forever.

The Sons of Thunder, James the older and first to die for Jesus name in Jerusalem.

And John, forever to be known as the “one whom Jesus loved”. Follower, disciple, and writer of the Gospel of John, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John and Revelation.

John’s is the English spelling for the Hebrew name “Johanan” which means “Jehovah is gracious”; hence, John represents “Grace”.

Grace represents the numeral five (5):

the fifth time Noah’s name is mentioned, it says “But Noah found grace…;”

the fifth time Ruth’s name is mentioned, “…in whose sight I may find favor or (grace);”

the fifth time David’s name is mentioned when we meet him in 1 Samuel 16, “…let David stand before me, for he has found favor (grace) in my sight.”

The Beloved John wrote five (5) books in the Bible;

Yes, John the disciple whom Jesus loved showered us with His Grace.

Photos captured by denisebalog 2011 – 2014©

Entranceway of Change – Capernaum Part Eight

A person could take a boat to reach the entranceway of Capernaum.

Stepping off the vessel, Levi the Tax Collector would be waiting at his table to ensure you stopped to pay the Sea tax before entering the busy village.

Jesus passing by, called Levi as he was busy counting shekels and making change.

As Jesus passed by, He invited the unpopular tax collector to “follow Him”.

Jesus proceeded to Levi’s house to fellowship and eat a meal with the despised tax collector and his friends.

Times haven’t changed at all.

When Jesus “passes by” and one sits down and breaks bread with Jesus, not only are do our names change, but our lives are transformed.

Capernaum “changed” the day Jesus passed by Levi.

Levi’s name change to Matthew, and he went from

handling coins of loose change

to the one who handles

the most precious Word of God.

He was transformed into a follower of Jesus Christ, and

the writer of the

Gospel of treasures of gold – The Book of Matthew.

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“Then He went out again by the sea…

As He passed by, He saw Levi…sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, “Follow Me.” So he arose and followed Him.” Mark 2:13-14 (NKJV)

Photos captured by denisebalog 2011 – 2014©

His Garment Sweep – The Woman on the Street – Capernaum Part Seven “4”

The last of The Woman on the Street of our walk about the neighborhood of Capernaum.

This poem was written when I woke one morning after a dream where I was missing “teeth”. Feeling a bit down, I ponder the dream and its meaning in the midst of writing this mini series of Jesus going about the neighborhood of Capernaum.

Once again, thank you my WP neighbors for always welcoming a fellow neighbor back…even if we are missing a “tooth” or two.

“Right here on “Joyless” street;

There’s a hole in the smile of all my things neat.”

Reaching to touch His garment sweep.

The “blue” was from the cerulean mussel, the rare color was used to dye the tassels. This prayer shawl is an example only of what the “woman” would have been reaching to touch on Jesus’s hem.

From sickness to health;

Darkness to Light;

From everything wrong,

To everything right.

At the place where

He turned my smile to bright!

Healing is found in

His wings were we meet,

Between “Joyless” and

“Joyful” Street!”

“The Sun of Righteousness shall arise

With healing in His wings…”

Malachi 4:3 NKJV

Poem by denisebalog 2017

Photo of the Sea of Galilee captured in 2011 by denisebalog

Touch Him– The Woman on the Street – Capernaum Part Seven “3”

“For she said to herself,

“If only I may touch His garment, I shall be made well.”

But Jesus turned around,

And when He saw her He said,

“Be of good cheer, daughter;

Your faith has made you well.”

Jesus knowing,

She hadn’t been touched in twelve years,

She had nothing left to live on or for,

She was far from her home,

Wandering Alone,

Looking for healing,

But she heard the name of Jesus.

Turning around,

Jesus

Looking into her eyes,

Called her “Daughter”.

I don’t know if I’ve heard a more beautiful story of healing love.

“And the woman was made well from that hour.”

Matthew 9:21-22 (NKJV)

The Woman on the Street – Part Seven of Capernaum by the Sea “2”

“But as He went, the multitudes thronged Him.

Now a woman, having a flow of blood for twelve years,

Who had spent all her livelihood on physicians and

Could not be healed by any,

Came from behind and

Touched the border of His garment.”

Luke 8:43-44 (NKJV)

“You number my wanderings;

Put my tears into Your bottle;

Are they not in Your book?”

Psalm 56:8 NKJV

I love how Jesus was right within her reach.

What an encouragement to know,

He meets us right where we are;

Often not in our four walled houses,

But in the midst of our wanderings.

“Are they not in Your Book?” Psalm 56:8 NKJV

Having Heard – The Woman on the Street – Capernaum Part Seven “1

It has taken me two weeks to mull over the story of the Woman on the Street of Capernaum. I hope you don’t mind joining me for a day or two as we watching her miracle unfold.

Would the woman with the “issue of blood” having heard about Jesus, used her last coins to go by boat to Capernaum?

Located on the other side of the Lake from Capernaum, is the City of Tiberias, a major Roman town known for its warm springs used for healing. Did she hear about Jesus there? Could she have used the last of her coins to pay the entrance tax to look for the Man in Capernaum?

Could someone have told her whose house He was staying, or did she just follow the crowds while she walked the streets of Capernaum.

“When she heard about Jesus, she came behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment.” Mark 5:27 (NKJV)

Jesus would have worn something similar to this as His prayer shawl. The tassels is also known as the “wing” as in Malachi 4:2 “healing in its wings.”

Breaking the Law, she pressed in to touch the hem of His garment, Jesus turning spoke the words she longed to hear…

Come Speedily – Capernaum Part Six

“…and He was by the sea.

And behold, one of the rulers of the synagogue came, Jairus by name.

And when he saw Him, he fell at His feet and begged Him earnestly, saying,

“My little daughter lies at the point of death.

Come and lay Your hands on her, that she may be healed, and she will live.”

So Jesus went with him.” (Mark 5:21-24 NKJV)

Jairus name means – “God enlightens”.

Enlighten – to glitter, to illuminate, cause to shine.

Is it safe to say?

When Jesus visited Jairus house, raising his twelve year old daughter from death, Jairus and his household were “enlighten, illuminated, shining and glittering” in the brilliance and Light of the Son!

“Stir up my heart,

Illuminate the view.

Jairus on his knees,

Lord,

I’ve pleaded there too!

“Come speedily! Save my son! For without Your intervention, his life is surely done!”

Jairus must have cried these very words to You.

Thank You Jesus for Your Grace,

“For behold, (You) make all things new!” (Rev. 21:5)

The Door of Healing – Capernaum Part Five

Healing came through The Door when Jesus entered Peter’s house.

View of the Synagogue from Peter’s house.

After leaving the synagogue on Sabbath, Jesus’ path took Him right to Peter’s mother-in-law in her time of need. Jesus reached out His hand, “and lifted her up”, and “immediately the fever left her.”(Mark 1:31)

Church with a “clear” floor for viewing built above the walls of Peter’s house.

Peter’s house is located within a short walking distance of the synagogue.

Whose House – Capernaum Part Four

There is no clear path pointing to whose house Jesus visited when He entered Capernaum. During His life here on earth, “according to the pattern” (Acts 7:44), I believe there can be only one.

“And He said to them, ‘Why were you looking for Me? Did you not know that I must be in My Father’s house.” (Luke 2:49 ESV)

Pilgrim traveler writing in his journal while resting in the Capernaum Synagogue

“Then they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath He entered the synagogue and taught.” (Mark 1:21 NKJV)

From Darkness to Light – Capernaum Part Three

In the Valley of the Doves…

“For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult and every garment rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for the fire.” Isaiah 9:5 ESV

Herod in his zeal to capture and destroy the zealous Jews living in the “craggy mountains”, went to great “length” to “make use of a contrivance that was subject to the utmost hazard, for he let down the most hardy of his men in chests, and set them at the mouths of the dens.” Thereby the soldiers would shoot arrows with fire into the caves or use hooks to pull the people out.

Josephus Flavius who wrote with “The unique perspective and unparalleled historical content” [1] retells the story of an old man and his family, rather than becoming slaves to the Romans “preferred death”.

The father, standing at the entrance way of the cave, would have each of his seven children step up to the opening. He would slay them, then throw their dead bodies to the bottom of the valley. After slaying his wife in this manner, the old man threw himself to his death upon the dead bodies of his wife and children.

I can’t help but wonder, on their way to Capernaum as Jesus led His traveling companions on the well-worn path through the valley, He knowing what was to come, became quiet as He thought on these “neighbors” of the future.

“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land deep in darkness, on them has light shined.” Isaiah 9:2 ESV

Jesus

Isaiah prophetic words fulfilled.

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The First Jewish Revolt (A.D. 66-70)

[1] Flavius, Josephus. The Complete Works, translated by William Whiston. Thomas Nelson, Nashville, TN. 1998 (print) [Introduction, and Chapter 16 1.16.4, page 681]