Capernaum

The name Capernaum means "village of Naham".  We read in Matthew 4:13 that Jesus went to live in Capernaum, fulfilling the prophecy given by Isaiah.  He performed many miracles around the area.

 The city was situated along the International Highway and as such there is evidence of Roman troups stationed in the city.  

"And when Jesus entered Capernaum, a Roman officer met Him and begged for help...." Matt. 8:5

In the midst of the Roman oppression and occupation, a Light would shine!  Jesus' move from Nazareth, an isolated village, to Capernaum is nothing short of a move from the shadows and into the spotlight.  What He said and did surely was carried far and wide to other lands!

Capernaum was home to the tax collector Matthew.  It would have been the ideal spot for Matthew as international trade funneled south through Capernaum on the way to Egypt or north to Damascus.  As our bus went through a pass, Jim pointed out the spot Matthew would have probably set up his tax booth.


Simon, later known as Peter, lived here with his family and worked as a fisherman.  He was one of the first chosen by Jesus.  Andrew, James and John were also from this village.

Jesus taught in the synagogue in Capernaum.  Here He healed a man who had a withered hand and a man possessed by an evil spirit.

This is the synagogue.  The bottom layer was made of basalt (lava) stone and was there during Jesus' lifetime.  The synagogue was probably destroyed by the Romans in 68AD.  The upper limestone layer is from the 2-4th century AD.


"I am the Bread of Life"  Jesus said this as He taught in the synagogue here.        John 6

Behind the synagogue were many millstones and grinding stones.  There were many more than a village would need, so possibly it was a "factory" of sorts, where these were made.  

A grinding stone

Village ruins

Below is the modern  Church of the House of St. Peter

This church was built over the remains of what is said to be Peter and Andrew's home!

"Jesus and His disciples, including James and John, left the synagogue and went straight to the home of Simon and Andrew.  Simon's mother-in-law was sick in bed with a fever, and as soon as Jesus arrived, He was told about her.  He went to her, took her by the hand, and helped her up.  The fever left her, and she began to wait on them."  Mark 1:29-31

We were told that as it was in such close proximity to the synagogue would have meant that the family was well-to-do. 

You can see remains of the home from inside the church through the glass.  Archaeologists say that one room or courtyard would have been used as a place of assembly.

Mosaics covered the floors.  The mosaic in the central octagon had plants, fish and a peacock (an early Christian symbol for immortality).

According to Luke 7, Capernaum is also mentioned as the location of the healing of the paralytic lowered through the roof to reach Jesus.

We went to ancient Katrzrin on another day and saw an excavated and reconstructed home that showed how the roof would have looked.  We climbed up the back to the roof.  You can see that the roof is made of dirt that is compacted on top of branches.

And here is the roof from the inside of the home.  I can't imagine the mess the 4 men would have made to get their paralytic friend down to Jesus!

 A few more pictures of reconstructed home:

We had a few moments to ourselves before the bus left.   Al and I went down to sit on the beach.  Just to think that perhaps Jesus would have sat here too and looked out over the lake.

What is so sad is that Christ cursed the city (Matthew 11:23) because of their lack of response to His teaching.  He was in their midst, showed Himself to be the Messiah and they rejected Him!  And isn't God so evident in so many ways today, and people still reject Him.

Fishermen

 "As Jesus walked along the shore of Lake Galilee, He saw two brothers who were fishermen, Simon (called Peter) and his brother, Andrew, catching fish in the lake with a net."

 We are told that this is the actual place that Jesus would have called these brothers along with James and John.

St. Peter's Church was built on the spot where Jesus prepared the meal of fish for His disciples.

It is run by Franciscan priests.

Just as fishermen spread nets, gather fish and sort them, one day angels will gather and separate for God those who have been made righteous by Him.

Chorazin remains

About an hour and a half walk up the hillside from the shoreline of Capernaum are the remains of Chorazim (Korazim).  It was renowned for the good wheat grown there. 

"The primary geology around the Sea of Galilee is lava rock (basalt) derived from ancient volcanic eruptions.  Basalt was the main source of building material around the Sea.  Buildings constructed from any other material meant the stone would have had to be imported."

"In the New Testament (Matthew 11:21 and Luke 10:13) Chorazim is mentioned as a city condemned by Jesus.  He must have done significant miracles in the vicinity considering the "woes" pronounced against the inhabitants for their unbelief."

"Ritual purification baths located near the 2nd or 3rd century AD basaltic synagogue suggest some element of observant Judaism."

 "The archaeological find of "Moses' seat" located in the synagogue fits ancient Jewish culture of the Gospels."  The seat of Moses was found in the 1920's.  The original is in the museum in Jerusalem.  The priest with the most authority would sit on the hand carved seat as he taught the people.  Perhaps if Jesus had spoken at this synagogue, as was His custom, He would have had His turn as a Rabbi, sitting in this seat!

Synagogue

"By the 2nd century, Chorazin was far from an observant Jewish village.  There was a strong Hellenistic influence within the city."

"How terrible it will be for you, Chorazin!  ...If the miracles which were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, the people there would have long ago put on sackcloth and sprinkled ahses on themselves, to show that they had turned from their sins!"  Matthew 11:21

quotes from "Exploring Bible Times" field notes by Dr. James Martin

The location of the Beatitudes and the feeding of the 5,000

After we left Arbel Cliffs, we drove along the north edge of Lake Gennesaret or Kinneret (known also as the Sea of Galilee).  Jesus and His disciples would have walked along the sea, and somewhere in this area Jesus would have taught the multitudes who followed after Him.

We visited the Church of the Beatitudes, located near Tabgha and Capernaum, where tradition says Christ gave the Sermon on the Mount, although this might have taken place over time, not necessarily in one setting. (Matthew 5-7)

I have to say that I am just not so keen on these churches (shrines) being built here.  I guess some find them worshipful places, but I prefer the outdoors and wish they would just have left the beauty of the area "as is".

Looking back to the cliffs we had been on earlier in the day.

In the photo below, looking at the "other side" of the Sea of Galilee.  Jewish people in Biblical times would not go to the "other side".  The Second Feeding (of 4,000) took place on the other side in the pagan Decapolis area and was meant for the new people of God, made up of Jews and Gentiles.  The 7 baskets left over were symbols of the 7 Nations originally expelled from the land by the tribes of Israel, but now invited to take part at the table of the Lord.

* * * * *

We also visited the Loaves and Fishes Church at Tabgha.   The church is modern but stands on the site of 4th and 5th-century churches.  During the time of Christ, Tabgha was considered the lonely place where Jesus withdrew to frequently.   In the first 4 centuries a large community of Christians of Jewish descent lived in Capernaum and kept alive the memory of Jesus' presence at Tabgha, passing these traditions on from generation to generation.

Besides its supposed place of a miracle of Jesus, one of the main highlights of the Church of the Loaves and Fishes is this beautiful 5th-century mosaic floor. It is the earliest known example of a figured pavement in Palestinian Christian art.

This is the traditional stone on which the miraculous meal was laid.  Or where Jesus sat on.  Evidently, in early years people would chip away pieces of this stone for good luck.  Now, it is blocked off so people can't do that.

The first feeding of the multitude with 12 baskets left over signifies, according to ancient tradition, the 12 tribes of Israel.

Of course, it is not really known for sure that these are the actual places Jesus did these things.  What is important is that He did them.  He proved over and over that He is the Messiah, the Rescuer of mankind.

What He said raised the eyebrows of the religious elite (and their anger).  "He wasn't like the teachers of the Law; instead He taught with authority."  What He said reaches across people culturally, politically and for all ages.  His Word is timeless.  And it speaks to the heart!

When He fed the 5,000, this was a Jewish audience, on their way to celebrate the Passover.  Passover was a time to remember God delivering Israel out of Egypt and providing for them in the wilderness through the miraculous provision of food and water.  And now Jesus did the same thing for these people.  He more than satisfied the hunger of thousands!

And He satisfies our "hunger" too.

"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled."  Matthew 5:6

Satisfy us in the morning with Your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days. Psalm 90:14