capernaum – Praying Pint

34. “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.”

Matthew 17:24 When they came to Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma tax went up to Peter and said, “Does your teacher not pay the tax?” He said, “Yes.” And when he came into the house, Jesus spoke to him first, saying, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do kings of the earth take toll or tax? From their sons or from others?” And when he said, “From others,” Jesus said to him, “Then the sons are free. However, not to give offense to them, go to the sea and cast a hook and take the first fish that comes up, and when you open its mouth you will find a shekel. Take that and give it to them for me and for yourself.”

Matthew 3:15    But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented.

Matthew 22:21   They said, “Caesar’s.” Then he said to them, “Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”

Romans 13:6-7    For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing.  Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.

This was a tribute or payment of a peculiar kind, being half a shekel, (that is, about fifteen pence,) which every master of a family used to pay yearly to the service of the temple: to buy salt, and little things not otherwise provided for. It seems to have been a voluntary thing, which custom, rather than any law, had established. Peter is asked for this tax and he is going to ask Jesus about it, but Jesus spoke first. “What do you think, Simon? From whom do kings of the earth take toll or tax? From their sons or from others?” Do they ask of this tax from people belonging to their family or of people not belonging to their family? The obvious answer is, of those not belonging to their family. This tax was for the purpose of the use of the house of God – the temple. Jesus being the Son of God would therefor be free from any obligation of paying this tax. Rather than give these people occasion to say He was disposing the temple and its service, and as well teaching His disciples to do the same, He sends Peter on a fishing trip.

How illustrious a degree of knowledge and power did our Lord here discover! Knowledge penetrating into this animal, though beneath the waters; and power, in directing this very fish to Peter’s hook, though he himself was at a distance! How must this have encouraged both Peter and his brethren in a firm dependance on Divine Providence! “Jesus chose to provide this tribute-money by a miracle, either because the disciple who carried the bag was absent, or because he had not as much money as was necessary. Further, he chose to provide it by this particular miracle, rather than any other, because it was of such a kind as to demonstrate that he was the Son of the Great Monarch worshipped in the temple, who rules the universe. Wherefore, in the very manner of his paying this tax, he showed Peter that he was free from all taxes; and at the same time gave his followers this useful lesson, that, in matters which affect their property in a smaller degree, it is better to recede somewhat from their just rights, than, by stubbornly insisting on them, to offend their brethren, or disturb the state.” — Macknight.

33.h. “When the great crowd heard all that he was doing, they came to him”

Matthew 14:34 And when they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret. And when the men of that place recognized him, they sent around to all that region and brought to him all who were sick and implored him that they might only touch the fringe of his garment. And as many as touched it were made well.

Matthew 4:24-25    So his fame spread throughout all Syria, and they brought him all the sick, those afflicted with various diseases and pains, those oppressed by demons, those having seizures, and paralytics, and he healed them.  And great crowds followed him from Galilee and the Decapolis, and from Jerusalem and Judea, and from beyond the Jordan.

Mark 1:28-34    That evening at sundown they brought to him all who were sick or oppressed by demons.  And the whole city was gathered together at the door.  And he healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons. And he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.

Mark 2:1-12    And when he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. And many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even at the door. And he was preaching the word to them.

Mark 3:8-10   and Jerusalem and Idumea and from beyond the Jordan and from around Tyre and Sidon. When the great crowd heard all that he was doing, they came to him.  And he told his disciples to have a boat ready for him because of the crowd, lest they crush him,  for he had healed many, so that all who had diseases pressed around him to touch him.

Mark 6:54-56 And when they got out of the boat, the people immediately recognized him and ran about the whole region and began to bring the sick people on their beds to wherever they heard he was. And wherever he came, in villages, cities, or countryside, they laid the sick in the marketplaces and implored him that they might touch even the fringe of his garment. And as many as touched it were made well.

There was a time (and not that long ago) when people spoke openly about Jesus Christ and what He did and was doing in their lives. It seems now the only place where Jesus is spoken about is through social media. I don’t think this is wrong, in fact, it has its place – (a call to prayer, a call to worship, a call to rejoice) However, there is nothing more important than the children of God proclaim God’s grace, mercy, love, power, abundance, ever-present help, guidance, encouragement, promises., etc…… It is in our spoken word people will see the faith, trust, and reliance we have in and through Jesus Christ. People will hear and feel the spoken word of confidence, joy, hope, faith, and reliance we have on Him. It is in the simplest of words spoken by the simplest of people that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is proclaimed. Out of the abundance of the heart our mouths speak – let us speak of our confidence, hope, trust, reliance, joy, and faith, in our Creator, Savior, Redeemer, and coming again King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Jesus Christ.

31.w. “In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

Matthew 8:5 When he had entered Capernaum, a centurion came forward to him, appealing to him, “Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, suffering terribly.” And he said to him, “I will come and heal him.” But the centurion replied, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I too am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes, and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” When Jesus heard this, he marveled and said to those who followed him, “Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel have I found such faith. I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” And to the centurion Jesus said, “Go; let it be done for you as you have believed.” And the servant was healed at that very moment.

“He seeks a cure, but does not prescribe to the Lord how or where he shall work it; in fact, he does not put his request into words, but pleads the case, and lets the sorrow speak.” (Spurgeon)

Jesus did not hesitate to go to the centurion’s house, and we half wish the centurion would have allowed Him. It was completely against Jewish custom for a Jew to enter a Gentiles’ house; yet it was not against God’s law. The centurion also showed great sensitivity to Jesus, in that he wanted to spare Jesus the awkward challenge of whether or not to enter a Gentile’s house – as well as the time and trouble of travel. He didn’t know Jesus well enough to know that He would not feel awkward in the least; but his consideration of Jesus in this situation was impressive. In his concern for both his servant and for Jesus, this centurion was an others-centered person. The centurion fully understood that Jesus’ healing power was not some sort of magic trick that required the magician’s presence. Instead he knew Jesus had true authority, and could command things to be done and completed outside His immediate presence. The centurion showed great faith in Jesus’ word. He understood that Jesus can heal with His word just as easily as with a touch. The man’s understanding of Jesus’ spiritual authority made Jesus marvel. His simple confidence in the ability of Jesus’ mere word to heal showed a faith that was free of any superstitious reliance on merely external things. This was truly great faith, worthy of praise.

The fact that such faith was present in a Gentile caused Jesus to announce that there would be Gentiles in the kingdom of heaven. They will even sit down to dinner with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob! As well, Jesus reminded his Jewish listeners that just as the Gentile’s racial identity was no automatic barrier to the kingdom, their racial identity was no guarantee of the kingdom. Though Jews were sons of the kingdom, they might end up in hell.

A person ought to know their eternal destiny and who it is that has proclaimed it to be so. To humbly repent sin, and follow, obey, trust, and rely on Jesus Christ, we are promised eternal life – heaven. To reject Jesus Christ we are promised eternal Hell. God’s Word is true. God’s promises are steadfast and either a place of refuge, hope, peace, joy, courage, strength, etc… or they are denied, rejected, turned away from, or given no thought at all. Eternal life – Heaven and eternal death – Hell are real. Some may think the soul/spirit dies upon death. Nothing could be further from the truth. Eternal death in Hell is very much alive in torment and anguish forever and ever. Give thought to What God promises. Narrow is the path that leads to eternal life and broad is the road that leads people straight to Hell.

30.k. “To open the eyes that are blind”

Matthew 4:12 Now when he heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew into Galilee. And leaving Nazareth he went and lived in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, so that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: “The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles— the people dwelling in darkness have seen a great light, and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death, on them a light has dawned.” From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

Psalms 107:10-14   Some sat in darkness and in the shadow of death, prisoners in affliction and in irons,  for they had rebelled against the words of God, and spurned the counsel of the Most High.  So he bowed their hearts down with hard labor; they fell down, with none to help.  Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress.  He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and burst their bonds apart.

Isaiah 42:6-7    “I am the LORD; I have called you in righteousness; I will take you by the hand and keep you; I will give you as a covenant for the people, a light for the nations,  to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness.

Luke 1:78-79   because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high  to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.”

Jeremiah 13:16   Give glory to the LORD your God before he brings darkness, before your feet stumble on the twilight mountains, and while you look for light he turns it into gloom and makes it deep darkness.

2 Timothy 2:25-26   correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth,  and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.

Spiritual darkness, separated from God, and yet, able to see what God the Creator created. Blind to righteousness, holiness, and things of God. For over 400 years no prophet of God had been sent to proclaim the will of God to the Israelites. It is not as though the Israelites sat idly by. They perfected a means of holiness and righteousness based on what a person should and could do to be right before God. They had a form of godliness but not in line with true worship, surrender, and reliance on God alone. Though they thought they had godly wisdom and were a bright light for all to follow, they were foolish in their understanding and though their eyes were open they perceived nothing. They were in utter darkness to true worship, honor, and glory of God.

Imagine being deep into in a very rocky and dangerous cave without light – utter darkness. Every step taken could be your last. There is no light to help guide the next step, no light to keep you from harm, let alone a pathway forward. Darkness becomes the way of life. It is just the way life is. Though no one can see they will speak as if they can. Shouts will be heard in the darkness, “over here is the way”, “It is safe to come this way”, “I have found the path”, “Listen to me”, etc…. so as many that hear these voices of direction, they follow them blindly. It does not matter that the person or voice or idea they are following will lead them further into darkness, closer to danger, and further away from God. Into darkness, they were born and seem satisfied away from the light. And then there was the light of Jesus, the Son of God, the light of the world, bringing light into the darkness. As then and as now, there were those who saw the light and willingly believed, repented, and followed it, but there were many who shielded their eyes and turned away from it. They saw the light and chose darkness. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is light unto salvation, redemption, forgiveness, and eternal life.

15.w. “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?”

John 6:22 On the next day the crowd that remained on the other side of the sea saw that there had been only one boat there, and that Jesus had not entered the boat with his disciples, but that his disciples had gone away alone. Other boats from Tiberias came near the place where they had eaten the bread after the Lord had given thanks. So when the crowd saw that Jesus was not there, nor his disciples, they themselves got into the boats and went to Capernaum, seeking Jesus.

When they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, “Rabbi, when did you come here?” Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal.” Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.”

Deuteronomy 5:27    Go near and hear all that the LORD our God will say, and speak to us all that the LORD our God will speak to you, and we will hear and do it.’

Jeremiah 42:3-6    Then they said to Jeremiah, “May the LORD be a true and faithful witness against us if we do not act according to all the word with which the LORD your God sends you to us.  Whether it is good or bad, we will obey the voice of the LORD our God to whom we are sending you, that it may be well with us when we obey the voice of the LORD our God.”

Micah 6:7-8    Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?”  He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

Acts 2:37    Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”

Acts 16:30    Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”

Those who questioned Jesus seemed sure that if only Jesus told them what to do, they could please God by their works of God. For these people, as with many people today, pleasing God is found in the right formula for performing works that will please God. The sense behind their question seemed to be, “Just tell us what to do so we can get what we want from You. We want Your miracle bread and for You to be our Miracle King; tell us what to do to get it.” If we want to do the work of God, it begins with trusting Jesus. The first work is to believe in Jesus whom God sent. This is first. Some people stop with this. They say they believe but, beyond these words is nothing to indicate any kind of change in their lives. They seem to forget “obedience”. Belief/faith/trust is the foundation for works that are done for the sole purpose to honor and glorify Jesus Christ. Without faith in Jesus Christ first, our works turn into what we trust to be right with God. Our works easily become our false sense of security. Our works are not out of obedience but rather out of self-reliance. No work of ours will wash away our sins. No work of ours will remove the stain of sin. No work of ours will result in eternal life. No work of ours will give lasting peace, joy, and refuge.

Robert Lowry got it right. This is from the hymn he wrote.

What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
What can make me whole again?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

For my pardon, this I see,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
For my cleansing this my plea,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Nothing can for sin atone,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
Naught of good that I have done,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

This is all my hope and peace,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
This is all my righteousness,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

14.u. “Do whatever he tells you.”

John 2:1 On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples. When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” Now there were six stone water jars there for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. And he said to them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the feast.” So they took it. When the master of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now.” This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him. After this he went down to Capernaum, with his mother and his brothers and his disciples, and they stayed there for a few days.

Shortly after Jesus told Nathanael that he would see greater things they are at a wedding in the small town Cana. Cana was the home town of Nathanael. This first sign of Jesus was in an insignificant place. He did not go to a big flashy wedding but to a small village. We should note Jesus comes to the lowly not arrogant. His birth was proclaimed too lowly shepherds. His disciples were from lowly occupations. His mother was a virgin engaged to be married to Joseph a carpenter. Jesus was rejected by the teachers, rabbis, and rollers but was worshipped by the lowly.

It is hard to imagine what Mary was thinking when she told Him “They have no wine”. Did she expect Jesus and His disciples to go buy some from somewhere? Did she think He would do a miracle? Even after Jesus says “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.”, Mary tells the servants to do whatever He says. Whatever Mary was thinking one thing is for sure, she trusted Jesus and did not lay any expectation out on what Jesus should do other than leaving it into His hands to accomplish. There must have been some worry in Mary for the family of the bride and groom. I have read where running out of wine at the wedding feast would have been demeaning to the family. Mary could have been helping the bride’s family at this wedding and this could have been the reason for Jesus and His disciples being invited. This is nothing more than speculation and adds nothing to Mary’s trust and faith and Jesus’s power over creation. I am not sure why John laid out in detail the volume of the jars or to the fact they were filled to the brim with water. Possibly to point out there was no way to add anything to the jars. Mary’s trust and faith should be an example to us. When we have a problem give it to Jesus without trying to tell Jesus how to handle it. This reminds me of; “Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” They trusted in God without laying out the expectations of what God should do. They had faith God could save them if He chose to and they were content if He chose not to.

We do well to grow our faith and trust in Jesus to the level of being willing to allow what He deems best in our lives. He alone is able to do more than we think and much more than we can imagine. Why do we presume we know what is best and for that matter, how to do it?