photo story – 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.

________________________________________

“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©

Boardwalk Strides

“Summer days,

I count each one.

Lots of time for play and fun.

Morning cool,

Afternoons of pool.

Evening tides,

Boardwalk strides.

Umbrella’s flapping in the sun,

Goodbye to June,

Your “season’s” done.

Hello July!

Light up the sky!!”

“You own the day, You own the night;

You put stars and sun in place.

You laid the four corners of earth,

Shaped the seasons of summer and winter.”

Proverbs 74:16-17 (The Message)

Happy Fourth of July!!

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…

Photos captured by denisebalog 2011 – 2014©

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.

____________________________________________

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

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

Stone ritual water vessel displayed in Cana. This is similar to what would have been used during Jesus time.

My first glimpse of the Sea of Galilee from the bus leaving Cana to proceed to Tiberias on the Sea of Galilee – 2014

Walking With the Dove – Capernaum Part Two – next…

Horizon Bound

“The moon will disappoint you,

Shining orb within your view.

Up to see its’ brightness,

Amidst cold morning dew.

Slowly it settles,

Inch by inch,

Unto the ground.

Slipping to the distance wonders,

Horizon settled,

Glory bound.”

“He alone stretches out the heavens

and treads on the waves of the sea.

He makes the stars: the Bear, Orion, the Pleiades,

and the constellations of the southern sky.

He does great and unsearchable things,

Wonders without number.

If He passes by me,

I wouldn’t see Him;

If He goes right by,

I wouldn’t recognize Him.”

Job 9:9-11 (HCSB)

“Around three in the morning, He came toward them walking on the sea

And wanted to pass by them.

When they saw Him walking on the sea…they cried out…

He spoke with them and said,

“Have courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”

Mark 6:48-50 (HCSB)

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