3 Minute Read

Prepare Your Heart

To the best of your ability, get rid of all distractions. Take a few minutes to breathe deeply and quiet yourself in the Lord’s presence. Then, ask the Lord to speak to you in this time. Let Him know that you will listen and make whatever adjustments He will reveal to you.

Read God’s Word

Leviticus 16-18
Mark 1:21-45

A Verse for Today

Slowly and reflectively read the following verse(s) and listen to what God will say to you through His written Word. Consider writing down any insights He reveals to you.

Mark 1:21 (CSB): “They went into Capernaum, and right away he entered the synagogue on the Sabbath and began to teach.”

Reflecting on God’s Word

In the verse I have chosen for today, we are told that Jesus entered the city of Capernaum. This is the city where Peter lived and where Jesus called some of His disciples.

In Mark 1:21, we are told that Jesus went into the synagogue on Saturday and began to teach.

Kim and I went to Israel in 2018, where I captured quite a few pictures and videos in the ancient ruins of Capernaum. In order to help you visualize the story of Mark 1:21-38, here are some pictures and videos.

First, I want to show you a map of where Capernaum is located in relationship to the Sea of Galilee in northern Israel.

The ruins of Capernaum are on the northern edge of the Sea of Galilee (Google Maps)

Next, here are some pictures of the ruins of Capernaum and its synagogue.

The ruins of Capernaum. This city was inhabited for around 700 years after Jesus was here before it was destroyed.

Next, I stepped into the entrance of the white synagogue in Capernaum and snapped a picture. This synagogue was built sometime in the 4th or 5th centuries. Under it is a slab of black rock. It is thought that the black rock is the foundation of the synagogue that Jesus would have visited.

I took this while standing in the entrance of the white synagogue in Capernaum

Finally, I took a video of the city and synagogue. At the beginning of the following video, you can see the black rock slab under the synagogue. You can also see the ruins of Capernaum and the Sea of Galilee in the background (30-second mark). You will also see a much newer structure built over the ruins (35-second mark), which is over what is thought to be Peter’s house. I’m not sure if there is evidence or if the Catholics just took a wild guess at the location.

I hope these pictures and video help you visualize where Jesus visited and taught so that the biblical accounts of what happened in this special place can come to life.

Spend Time in Prayer

  • Ask God to help you to do more than merely read His Word. Dig into it! Gather resources, anything, to help you get the most out of what He is saying.

Going Deeper

If you want to dig a little deeper into the city of Capernaum, consider reading the following GotQuestions article:

“What is the significance of Capernaum in the Bible?”

Sharing

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Matt Ellis is the pastor of First Baptist Church in Polk City, Florida (fbcpolkcity.com)