Vol. 1 Issue 17
Capernaum – This report was filed in Capernaum where Jesus, the Prophet from Nazareth, has been doing some rather amazing things. Many have said that he is the long awaited Messiah, the Christ, the one who will deliver us from bondage and drive the Roman invader out of our land. So why is he telling people to keep quiet about these wonders he is doing?
Recently "they went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law. Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an evil spirit cried out, "What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are-- the Holy One of God!"
"Be quiet!" said Jesus sternly. "Come out of him!" The evil spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek.
The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, "What is this? A new teaching-- and with authority! He even gives orders to evil spirits and they obey him." News about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee." (Mark 1:21-28 NIV)
In another nearby town in Galilee, "a man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, "If you are willing, you can make me clean."
Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. "I am willing," he said. "Be clean!" Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cured.
Jesus sent him away at once with a strong warning: "See that you don't tell this to anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them." Instead he went out and began to talk freely, spreading the news. As a result, Jesus could no longer enter a town openly but stayed outside in lonely places. Yet the people still came to him from everywhere." (Mark 1:40-45 NIV)
"Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, "Who do people say I am?"
They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets."
"But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?"
Peter answered, "You are the Christ."
Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about him.
He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again." (Mark 8:27-31 NIV)
What kind of Messiah is this Jesus of Nazareth? Isn’t he supposed to save his people? How can a dead Messiah drive the invader from our land? We will continue to follow the progress of this reluctant Messiah and report on any new developments.
If you have comments or suggestions, email me at gerrys@christianlight.com