Two thousand year after they were uttered these words still make one shudder: “And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee” (Matt.11:23).
Jesus issued this chilling indictment only after persistent effort to convince the recalcitrant populous of Capernaum that he was the Messiah. Early in his Galilean ministry we find Jesus in the synagogue at Capernaum confronted by a man with an unclean spirit: “And he cried out, saying, let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? Art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God” (Mk. 1:24). Remarkably, this mentally-disturbed individual recognized Jesus and acknowledged his relationship to the Father, despite the Lord’s association with Nazareth.
The stigma attached to this town is seen in the response of Nathanael when he was informed that the Messiah had been found. “Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth?” Wisely, the suggestion to Nathanael was: “come and see” (Jn. 1:46). If only this counsel had been followed by the Jewish people in general, the awful denunciation by Peter after the death and resurrection of his Lord would have been unnecessary: “Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain” (Acts 2:22, 23).
The penalty for rejection
In this incident of the demoniac, there are undertones that we should not miss. It is, in effect, an acted prophecy. In the final analysis, the answer to the question “Art thou come to destroy us?” was Yes! God was manifest in His son to all who had eyes to see and ears to hear, but the people, affected by the demon of disbelief, cried: “What have we to do with you?” The penalty for the rejection of the Holy One of God was the destruction of Capernaum and the demise of the Jewish dispensation.
Perhaps we should pause and ask ourselves the question: Have we any demons or any unclean spirit within us? Of course, we dismiss the doctrine of devils and demons but we can so easily allow the spirit of materialism to penetrate our hearts and lead us away from the things of God. Along with David we pray: “Create in me a clean heart, 0 God; and renew a right spirit within me” (Ps. 51:10).
The allegorical roof
Very soon another outstanding miracle caused a stir in Capernaum. A paralytic, borne of four, was presented to Jesus in unconventional haste: “They uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay” (Mk. 2:4).
Allegorically speaking, a thousand years prior to Jesus, the roof of the Jewish nation was uncovered by way ward ness and disobedience to God subsequent to the death of Solomon. As a consequence, its “roof” was then progressively broken up by foreign invasion. The “paralyzed” nation (albeit under Roman tutelage) was now once more on its feet, but sadly not for long; history was about to be repeated. The power of Jesus was challenged by the leaders of Israel who murmured: “Who can forgive sins but God only?” (Lk. 5:21).
The humble Capernaum villagers, after witnessing the healing of the paralytic, were amazed and gave glory to God. But the religious mentors of Israel did not match these sentiments. Consumed by envy, they plotted his death and eventually delivered Jesus to Pilate under false charges and led the murderous uproar “Crucify him!” Of all the overt acts of disobedience perpetrated by the Jewish nation, this was the ultimate demonstration, the rejection of their Savior. Again, there is a lesson for us here. Metaphorically paralyzed by sin, we need not remain motionless, but we can rise up and walk with Jesus through the forgiveness of our sins.
Avoiding offense
The fascinating account of the coin in the fish’s mouth also took place in Capernaum. When asked if his master paid taxes, Peter answered in the affirmative. During the ensuing discussion Jesus asked Peter: “What thinkest thou, Simon? Of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute, of their own children, or of strangers?” (Matt. 17:25). Peter, knowing only too well the heavy burden of taxation placed upon his people by the Romans, replied that it was strangers (or subject peoples) from whom taxes were exacted. “Then are we free” was the prompt reply from Jesus. As the Son of God he was subject only to his Father in heaven. Yet, based on the principle of “render… tribute to whom tribute is due,” Jesus acquiesced to the authorities of the day. What an example for us, not only in the avoidance of offence but in providing due respect and obedience to ” kings and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty” (I Tim. 2:2).
Content with the crumbs
In Capernaum there lived the centurion of whom it was said: “For he loveth our nation, and he hath built us a synagogue” (Lk. 7:5). This worthy man also loved his servant and begged Jesus to restore him to health. The Lord agreed and, to the consternation of the officer, indicated that he would accompany him home. “Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed” (Matt. 8:8).
The man had wealth and power and yet he demonstrated the humility that the Jews lacked. He was also discerning and quick to grasp the power and authority of the Jewish preacher. There was no need for his Gentile dwelling to be entered, because Jesus’ status provided immediate access to cure the sick. Jesus was incredulous: “I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel” (Matt. 8:10). The Lord was sent specifically to the Jews; the Gentiles had to be content with the crumbs like the little dogs beneath the table (Matt. 15:27). Nevertheless, in spite of his superior position, the centurion eagerly picked up the crumbs and, having digested them thoroughly, was well content.
The faith and humility of this Gentile demonstrated to Jesus the stark contrast in the attitude of the nation that he had been sent to save. Sadly he responded: “And I say unto you, that many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matt. 8:11,12).
The consolation of Israel
Jesus had deliberately chosen Capernaum as the headquarters for his Galilean ministry. The name “Capernaum” means “consolation.” Reflecting on this word our mind goes to the presentation of the infant Jesus at the temple where the “just and devout” Simeon was “waiting for the consolation of Israel.” Trembling, the aged prophet took up the young child into his arms saying: “Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: for mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel” (Lk. 2:29-32). Enlightenment did come to Gentiles such as the centurion, but the glory departed from Israel because it repented not.
Perhaps the incident at Capernaum that most highlighted the lost opportunity for the Jews was the discourse on the bread of life. With great patience Jesus attempted to show them how the wilderness provision of manna foreshadowed himself. He was the true bread from heaven that God had sent to nourish their souls. Like their forefathers they were stiff-necked and refused to accept the greatest of blessings. “And they said, is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How is it then that he saith, I came down from heaven” (in. 6:42)? After all the evidence that these inhabitants of Capernaum had received, it is no wonder that their blatant refusal to accept the Lord Jesus as the Messiah brought forth the stern reproach: “And thou Capernaum…”
The faith of babes
In the Matthew record, immediately after Jesus delivered those words it is recorded that he said: “I thank thee, 0 Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes” (Matt. 11:25). Now as we take the emblems that speak of all that the “bread of heaven” achieved for us, let us resolve to be obedient to the Lord’s commands, continuing to follow him in the implicit faith as seen in little children.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One