Late this morning, we stood in Capernaum, in restored ruins of an old 4th Century synagogue, built on the foundation of an older synagogue; the one Jesus would have visited, as we hear in the gospels: “Again Jesus entered the synagogue, and a man was there who had a withered hand…. ‘Stretch out your hand,’ Jesus said. He stretched it out, and his hand was restored.” (Mark 3:1, 5)
It was also in Capernaum, a village of about 100, maybe 15 families, in Jesus’ time, where Jesus healed a paralytic man after his friends lowered him down through the roof; and Simon Peter’s home town. John chapter 6 tells us it was in Capernaum where Jesus spoke these words, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry.” It’s an odd sensation to have read these words for so many years and now to be standing where Jesus was when he spoke them! They are coming anew as we read the stories here.
As our bodies adapt to traveling across time zones, I feel other long held assumptions shifting, too. The Sea of Galilee is much larger than I had imagined from reading the gospels; the geographical area where Jesus taught, preached and healed for most of his ministry is so much smaller. It’s an honor to be able to visit this holy land and to be given this time for reflection and renewal.
Pastor Janet S. Peterman
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