11.09.07
Residence in Capernaum (Matt. 4:13-16)
Residence in Capernaum (Matt. 4:13-16)
Because of the rejection in His hometown, He leaves that town and settles in Capernaum. Not a bad choice, due to its centrality in the region and the activity (the buzz) of the area. Matthew saw this as a fulfillment of prophecy. Capernaum was located on the border between Zebulun and Naphatali along the Sea of Galilee.
The word ‘lived’ in verse 13 signifies the taking up of residence, so during this portion of Jesus’ ministry this was His home base. Also of note, Capernaum was – demographically speaking – more Gentile than Jewish as best we can tell in hindsight, this could also be a foreshadowing that Christ was about to extend His ministry of grace to the Gentiles as a result of being rejected as the Messiah in Israel.
Home…have you felt rejection? Have things changed, at least in how you remembered them? Did that stop your ministry, or did you just have a change of address and the ministry continued?
