FOOTSTEPS OF JESUS: "Miracles at Capernaum"

Sermon Summary, of Last Week’s sermon, Footsteps of Jesus: “Miracles at Capernaum.”  (Mark 1:21-28)

We’re following the footsteps of Jesus.  He left Nazareth in Galilee (Northern Israel) at the age of 30 to go to the Jordan near Jericho to be baptized by John the Baptist. God declares “This is my Son, the Beloved, in whom I am well pleased.”  Jesus is driven into the Wilderness by the Holy Spirit where he confronts temptation in preparation for his ministry.  He then returns the eight day journey back to Nazareth.  Luke tells us that Jesus was rejected in his home town for telling his listeners that the prophesy of the Messiah has been fulfilled in their presence.  He leaves Nazareth and makes his home in Capernaum by the Lake.

Had we accompanied Jesus on his two day journey to Capernaum, we might have seen a great thing, for half way between them lies Magdala, hometown of Mary Magdalene from whom we find later had seven demons cast out.  We don’t know how or when but Jesus made a profound difference in her life, she believed in him and followed him for three years becoming the most significant women in the New Testament save Mary, the mother of Jesus.

As he passes by the Sea of Galilee, Jesus calls his first disciples, Andrew, Simon later called Peter, James and John.

In Capernaum Jesus preaches in the synagogue and the listeners are astounded at his teaching.  Just then a man with an unclean spirit interrupts his sermon, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth?  Have you come to destroy us?  I know who you are, the Holy One of God.”  Even from the beginning the spirits and demons know who Jesus is!  The first of Jesus’ miracles is casting out the unclean spirit showing power over the spirit world.

Jesus then heals the fever of Peter’s mother-in-law, and a leper showing power over disease,  He then heals the paralytic let down through the roof declaring “Son, your sins are forgiven,” showing power over sin (Who can forgive sins but God himself?  Exactly!); and raises Jarius’ daughter from the dead showing power over life itself.  Later he would still the storm and his disciples would say, “Who is this man that even the winds and the waves obey him?”

Jesus performed these miracles so that we may see who this man is and come to believe in him.  So may it be with all of us.