Three Miracles In Capernaum Pt. 1

Looking First At The Setting

Capernaum was a small fishing village on the north shore of the Sea of Galilee. Although originally being named after a person, in the Greek language, Capernaum means "village of comfort". You might say it was the Jasper or Fairmont of ancient Israel.

Most who lived there found occupation in the fishing industry. And it wasn't far from here that Jesus found James and John, as well as Peter and Andrew, before calling them to be his disciples.

Throughout the 1st century it served as a customs station for the Roman Empire, housing a military garrison, and was an important stop along the trade routes in ancient Israel. You can bet that many Roman officials, tax collectors, and governing authorities worked here and lived amongst the other Jewish residence.

I can't help but think that today we often over simplify what we think a "small" 1st century village like Capernaum would look like. We might put a picture in our mind of a few small clay houses along a shore line with boats, a market selling fish and maybe a few other things, along with a small crowd of average people and a few children. At least, that's what most movies seem to depict. But Capernaum was far more dynamic than this!

Along with homes for around 1,000 to 1,500 people, there would be office structures for governing authorities, at least one market square for all sorts of trades, military centres, and maybe even multiple religious spaces (keep in mind, Roman citizens were not necessarily Jewish in religious beliefs). The docks probably were built with the intention of fishing and transporting goods not only locally, but also to other trade centres located along the Sea of Galilee like Tiberias and Bethsaida. The people of Capernaum would be rich in different cultures and history to where they're from while speaking probably multiple languages.

But let me ask one particular question I've been pondering the last few weeks while looking at this small fishing village of comfort. How many of Capernaum's citizens do you think were considered disabled?!

I know. Not really a question we often think about when considering ancient biblical community's. But seriously, you can't really think that a village of this size and complexity in ancient times was not without its occupational hazards in industry and of course, the physical results of Roman occupation and oppression.

Canadian statistics report that 1 in 5 Canadians are considered disabled. Just for a second, let's imagine if that was the same for Capernaum. That would mean that about 300 people would be considered disabled in their small little fishing village!

What sorts of physical and social structural needs do you suppose these people would need in Capernaum? There probably wasn't any real ramps anywhere but, what about wider doors for access? A community of people willing to care for them -- help them dress, clean, cook, go to the bathroom? Or, what about transportation -- carrying them around and helping them get to different community events and maybe the spaces to which they can beg for financial help? Do you think they might have some sort of job in helping sell products in the market or maybe passing out nets on the dock to the fishermen? Anything to feel like they have a purpose... that they belong.

Let me tell you a story about one of these person's... the story of a paralytic (Mark 2:1-12). Over the next couple weeks, I would like to explore deeper into this story and see three miracles that Jesus performs in it.