Series of the Gospel records in order of time
Following the dinner at Simon the Pharisee’s home, Jesus and the twelve continued to spread the good news to all in the region.
We learned a bit about the Pharisees last time: “Because of their refusal to humble themselves to God’s offer of righteousness through Jesus Christ, the Pharisees and lawyers continued in their own legalistic ways to establish their own righteousness. And they continued to lord over the people by imposing their own expanded version of the Mosaic law upon them.”
We most recently witnessed Jesus raising up a young man from the dead! Following this, word about Jesus spread throughout all Judea and even further.
Last time, we rejoiced to hear about the healing of the centurion’s servant in Capernaum. We did not actually see him healed because Jesus did not even have to go to the centurion’s home! He simply “spoke the word” and the beloved servant was healed.
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!