Capernaum And Jerusalem

"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. The Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple he found those who were selling oxen and sheep and pigeons, and the money-changers sitting there. And making a whip of cords, he drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and oxen. And he poured out the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables." - John 2:11-15 ESV

It is an interesting timeline. Jesus goes to the wedding then he walks 8 hours northeast to Capernaum, which is on the top of the sea of Galilee. Spends a few days. Then walks over 39 hours (4 or 5 days) south, down to Jerusalem, during the Passover season only to overturn the money changers tables during their most prosperous season.

So He went downhill and out of His way to Capernaum first for a few days after the first miracle. We see Him return here time after time.

"Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. ... Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to him. Now when he heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew into Galilee. And leaving Nazareth he went and lived in Capernaum..." - Matthew 4:1, 11-13a ESV

Here is a passage much later in Jesus' ministry...

"They went on from there and passed through Galilee. And he did not want anyone to know, for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, 'The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him. And when he is killed, after three days he will rise.' But they did not understand the saying, and were afraid to ask him. And they came to Capernaum. And when he was in the house he asked them, 'What were you discussing on the way?' But they kept silent, for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest..." - Mark 9:30-34 ESV

Jerusalem is far away.

"And all spoke well of him and marveled at the gracious words that were coming from his mouth. And they said, 'Is not this Joseph's son?' And he said to them, 'Doubtless you will quote to me this proverb, 'Physician, heal yourself.' What we have heard you did at Capernaum, do here in your hometown as well.' And he said, 'Truly, I say to you, no prophet is acceptable in his hometown...' " - Luke 4:22-24 ESV

Jesus healed Peter's mother-in-law here (see Luke 4:38f) and he also healed the Roman Centurion's servant from here (see Luke 7:1f; Matthew 8:5)

"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. And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralytic lay." - Mark 2:1-4 ESV

So much happened in this small lakeside city.

"And a scribe came up and said to him, 'Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.' And Jesus said to him, 'Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.' " - Matthew 8:19-20 ESV

Nazareth and Capernaum seem to be the closest thing Jesus had to a home and He returned there often but Heaven was really His home.

" 'But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.' And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight." - Acts 1:8-9 ESV

Why didn't Jesus say Capernaum, Judea and Samaria, and to the 'uttermost parts of the Earth'? Jerusalem was the place Jesus died not where He lived.

I think in part because that is where He told the disciples to wait for the Holy Spirit to fall upon them. It wasn't going to happen in Capernaum (at home) it was going to happen in their mission field 39 hours away.

Something to think about.

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