Christian
Quest
Lesson 6
Jesus the Healer - Apostles Appointed
Reading:
Matthew 4:18-25
Mark 1:16-45, and chapters 2 and 3
Luke chapter 5, and 6:1-19
Jesus the Healer
In the beginning of Jesus' ministry, after his baptism and 40-day reclusion in the wilderness, and before he appointed twelve apostles, he moved to Capernaum and focused his mission on healing and expelling demons while calling for people to repent because the long-awaited Kingdom of God was neigh. Jesus was calling disciples and they were going about baptizing like John was with his disciples. From Capernaum Jesus' reputation grew far and wide as a healer, beyond Galilee, down into Judea, and up even into Syria and beyond the Jordan. Afflicted people began coming to him from everywhere to be healed, and in throngs to listen to him teach. When Jesus returned to Nazareth, the city of his youth, he resisted the citizens' appeal for him to demonstrate his healing powers which they had heard he was performing in Capernaum. Ultimately he was rejected in Nazareth and returned to Capernaum.
During this early time Jesus did not seem intent on being identified as the Son of God. In fact, when he would perform a healing, he might instruct the one healed not to tell about it, but to go and give an offering to God according to Moses' law. (Mark 1:40-45, Matt. 8:4) In the early days when "unclean spirits" would say: "You are the Son of God", Jesus would warn them not to make this known. (Mark 3:12)
In Capernaum the first disciples mentioned were called; Peter, Andrew and the two brothers James and John (Matt. 8:18-22) He taught in the synagogue in Capernaum. (John 6:24-59) Eventually, from among his following of disciples, he chose twelve men to be apostles with whom he would share empowerment from the Holy Spirit for the kingdom message.
Why Capernaum
Israel was strategically located in a narrow region along the Mediterranean through which the major highway for trade and commerce had served merchants between Egypt and the Mesopotamian kingdoms of the north since the earliest times. It also connected with roads to Greece and Rome. The city of Megiddo was situated where the mountain pass came into a plain, the Valley of Armageddon. Megiddo was a city-fortress on a hill which guarded this vital junction that was literally straddling the "crossroads of the world". The highway continued from there through the Jezreel Valley, the only viable passage to the Mediterranean Sea. Consequently, the plain of Megiddo was a site of many battles, for whomever held domain over this pass essentially controlled ancient world commerce. So prevalent was war in this plain that it became symbolic of the final battle of God, called Har Mageddon in Revelation. King David had captured Megiddo and the surrounding region, and Israel consequently experienced its most affluent period under his rulership and that of his son, King Solomon. The highway was later named the Via Maris (Way of the Sea) by the Romans.
| The city of Capernaum was situated on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee with a small port that supported a population of fishermen. The Via Maris passed through its portal. Therefore, it was a prosperous city, for travelers and merchants from everywhere passed by on their way to places near and far. This served Jesus' ministry very well, for the people passing through would carry the news about him to everywhere. | |
"Fishers of men" - Matt. 4:18-22; Mark 1:16-20; Luke 5:1-11 -
Jesus calls his first disciples. Luke again is the one who gives the details
of the story. The multitudes were following Jesus, and he stepped into the fishing
boat of Simon (Peter) and taught the crowd from the boat. Then Jesus told Simon,
who had returned from fishing the night with no catch, to cast his net into
the water again, which he did, and brought in a catch so great the nets were
bursting. Then Jesus invited Simon Peter to follow him and he would become a
"fisher of men". Simon did, and so did the brothers James and John.
Healing of the leper - Mark and Luke (also in Matthew chapter 8).
Healing of the paralytic Pharisees began to reason that Jesus is blaspheming
for presuming to forgive sin. -
Mark and Luke (and also Matthew in chapter 9).
Jesus is observed and criticized by the scribes for mingling with sinners and tax collectors. A tax collector, Matthew, is called to be a disciple. - Mark and Luke (also Matthew in chapter 9)
Parable of Cloth and Wineskins -
Mark and Luke (also Matthew in chapter 9)
Controversy over Sabbath-work -
Mark and Luke (also Matthew in chapter 9)
Controversy over Sabbath-healing -
Mark and Luke (also Matthew in chapter 12)
Pharisees begin to plan to kill Jesus -
Mark and Luke (also Matthew in chapter 12)
This is before the twelve apostles have even been selected from among the disciples.
Jesus selects twelve apostles from among his disciples -
Mark and Luke (Neither Matthew nor John report the selecting of the twelve)
There is a clear distinction in both Mark and Luke of disciples being chosen
before the apostles. For example, Peter, James and John are invited to be "fishers
of men" as disciples (Mark 1:16-20 and Luke 5:1-11) before they are named
among those chosen as apostles (Mark 3:13-19 and Luke 6:12-16)
Scribes warned of the unpardonable sin -
Mark (also Matthew chapter 12 and Luke chapter 11)
Jesus describes spiritual relationship as important as family relationship
-
Mark (also Matthew chapter 12 and Luke chapter 8)
Review questions:
Optional discussion: Why might Jesus have been advocating not to reveal he was the Son of God in his early ministry?