Matthew 4:12-16, Isaiah 9:1-7
Capernaum is a spectacularly beautiful place in Israel.1 It’s a little town situated at the northernmost tip of the Sea of Galilee. Though it’s called a sea, it is a freshwater lake, the lowest one on the whole planet in terms of altitude. Anyone who travels to Capernaum - even today - will see that when Jesus chose a home base for his ministry, he chose a beautiful place. (Perhaps it’s not surprising after significant time spent in the wilderness!) It may have been true that the region was experiencing some kind of darkness and death like that which Matthew quotes from Isaiah…but in geography and climate, Capernaum is a wonderful place. (And whatever darkness was there, Jesus’ ministry brought about significant healing and good news.)
Sometimes people who follow Jesus believe they need to deny everything good unto themselves. On the one hand, this bears some truth - to follow Christ is to accept his call to pick up one’s own cross and to deny oneself the things that would be selfish and self-focused. But this certainly does not mean that we can’t experience anything that’s good. Why else does God love us? He gave humanity this world to enjoy…in eating, in companionship, in recreation, in having sex, and yes - in viewing the beauty of a mountainous vista over a shining lake, like that which exists in Capernaum.
Matthew 4:12-16
Now when Jesus heard that John was arrested, he went to Galilee. He left Nazareth and settled in Capernaum, which lies alongside the sea in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali. This fulfilled what Isaiah the prophet said:
Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali,
alongside the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles,
the people who lived in the dark have seen a great light,
and a light has come upon those who lived in the region and in shadow of death.
Isaiah 9:1-7
Nonetheless, those who were in distress won’t be exhausted. At an earlier time, God cursed the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but later he glorified the way of the sea, the far side of the Jordan, and the Galilee of the nations.
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light.
On those living in a pitch-dark land, light has dawned.
You have made the nation great;
you have increased its joy.
They rejoiced before you as with joy at the harvest,
as those who divide plunder rejoice.
As on the day of Midian, you’ve shattered the yoke that burdened them,
the staff on their shoulders,
and the rod of their oppressor.
Because every boot of the thundering warriors,
and every garment rolled in blood
will be burned, fuel for the fire.
A child is born to us, a son is given to us,
and authority will be on his shoulders.
He will be named
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.
There will be vast authority and endless peace
for David’s throne and for his kingdom,
establishing and sustaining it
with justice and righteousness
now and forever.
The zeal of the Lord of heavenly forces will do this.
Prayer:
God -
You made a beautiful world. We’ve done a lot to mess it up at times and even now, things can feel pretty dismal and desperate.
But the sun still rises and sets. Water is still a beautiful resource full of life and sustenance. The fertile soil - as rare as it is becoming - still teems with minerals and serves to spring forth life the likes of the raspberry or a sunflower or Adam’s body. Your beauty exists in each face we see and love. Air is sweet and breathing is life-giving. You made a beautiful world.
Give me eyes for the world today. Help me see beauty. And give me the gumption to take a role in re-beautifying that which is not, whether it be something as simple as bending over to pick up that thing that shouldn’t be there or petting a dog or teaching a child to water a plant.
Make me your partner in creation this day.
By your breath-giving Spirit and in your beauty-appreciating Christ, Amen.
According to the gospels, Jesus was born in Bethlehem, lived in Egypt as a small toddler, grew up in Nazareth, lived in Capernaum during his public ministry, and died, rose again, and ascended just outside Jerusalem.
The creation account in Genesis 1 concludes with God looking at His handiwork with great satisfaction. Verse 31 says, “And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good.” I was privileged to be in Capernaum with you and your dad, and remember fondly sitting along the shore of the Sea of Galilee and soaking in the remarkable peace and beauty of that place! Jesus, as a Man, must have rejoiced in that beauty as well…even as Scripture tells us it is His own handiwork. With all the hardships He endured in His three years of ministry, I’m happy He had such a beautiful and restorative place to call home!