Series of the Gospel records in order of time
Before we enter Capernaum, let’s consider how this town had become the chosen base of operations for Jesus after He was driven from Nazareth by religious officials there (Luke 4:16, 28–30).
A Similar Sermon—but Different!
Of course, we remember the great Sermon on the Mount. It was Jesus’ first teaching recorded in the gospels. We arrive this time in a plain, having just descended from the mountain following Jesus and his newly appointed twelve apostles. Once there, we join with a crowd of his disciples and a great multitude from all around.
After an exhausting day of healing the multitudes, Jesus must once again find renewal in the intimate fellowship between Father and Son, so he goes to a solitary place for prayer that night. Let’s follow him up the mountain.
Let’s take up from where we left off last time with the Pharisees’ reaction to Jesus healing the man with the withered hand.
Matthew 12:14; Mark 3:6; Luke 6:10 (Matthew and Mark) [NKJV]
Then the Pharisees went out, and immediately plotted with the Herodians against Him. But they were filled with rage, and discussed with one another what they might do to Jesus, how they might destroy Him.
Still in Galilee a week later (or possibly two), we follow Jesus into the synagogue on a Sabbath. Let’s watch how this unfolds.
Matthew has joined Peter, Andrew, James, John, (and probably Philip and Nathanael), along with the group of other disciples following Jesus on his itinerant travels. Let’s walk with them through the grainfields—it’s time to eat!
After the healing miracle of the paralytic, Jesus travels out of the city to the sea side. Of course, the multitude follows him and he continues to teach them. In word and in deed, Jesus always shows the will of the Father.
When we were last with Jesus, he could no more openly enter into the city where a leper had been healed. Even though he stayed out in desert places, multitudes still came to him for healing and deliverance, so he had to withdraw even further into the wilderness. Let’s follow him from there to his regular dwelling place, the city of Capernaum.
After the marvelous outpouring of the Word of God in the Sermon on the Mount, the great power of God was energized to heal and deliver many. Again, we follow Jesus, this time to witness the healing of a leper in three of the gospel records. (The color of the words in the scripture indicates the information that is unique to that gospel: Matthew, Mark, and Luke. The words in boldface give information that is recorded in all three gospels.) Let’s go!
We continue following Jesus throughout all Galilee as he heralded the good news, preaching and teaching the kingdom of God. Let’s take the trek up the mountain to listen in to the timeless truths of Jesus’ first recorded teaching.