photo story – denisebalog…Grace filled devotionals.

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)

Photos captured by denisebalog 2011 – 2014©

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Josephus Flavius who wrote with “The unique perspective and unparalleled historical content” [1] retells the story of an old man and his family, rather than becoming slaves to the Romans “preferred death”.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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Photos captured by denisebalog 2011 – 2014© Mount Arbel

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]

Walking With the Dove – Capernaum Part Two

Jesus and His family would have walked through the Valley of the Doves, passing by the craggy, mountain cliff sides of Mount Arbel on their way to Capernaum. This was the common route from Nazareth to the Sea.

I imagine going to Capernaum was as when we go to the seashore or the lake with our families for holiday. Or possibly His new disciples were excited to have their own families meet Jesus and His family. Young John was the only one to write of this journey in the Gospel of John. Whatever the reason, there must have been great joy as they walked from the overflowing wedding experience to the anticipation of the shores of the Sea of Galilee.

Little did the disciples neighbors in Capernaum know, Jesus coming to their town was about to fulfill Scripture and changed its course in history forever.

“…but in the latter time He has made glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations.” Isaiah 9:1 ESV

Photos captured by denisebalog 2011©

Post Thought – Pressing to Know the Neighbors – Capernaum Part One

On His way from Nazareth…

Jesus would have performed His first miracle in Cana. Stopping at their “house”, He spared His mother’s friends from a huge embarassment of running out of wine at their son’s wedding,

Now isn’t that the sweetest visit of a neighbor ever?

“When the master of the feast tasted the water now become wine…This,is the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee,…” John 2:1-12

Pressing In To Know the Neighbors – Capernaum Part One

WordPress has been like a neighborhood to me. As I wondered what Jesus would think about my spending time here in this place of sharing and checking in on others, He opened my thoughts to Capernaum by the Sea of Galilee, the place where Jesus began His ministry.

And what about Jesus? Over the next few days, I would like to share some of my journal notes and travel photographs of this place called Capernaum on the Sea of Galilee in Israel.

“On the third day there was a wedding in Cana in Galilee…after this He went down to Capernaum, with His mother and His brothers and His disciples, and they stayed there for a few days.” John 2:1-12 ESV