The Coin In the Fish's Mouth

By Mary Vee
Mark 9, Matthew 17, Luke 9

Peter

Sea of Galilee shore at
Capernaum. Photo by Mary Vee

I am a disciple of Jesus.

We walked with Jesus through Galilee. He led us on a route that kept us away from where the crowds typically gathered. He said He wanted to spend time teaching only us.

He stopped in a place where we could all face Him and sat on the ground. 

Jesus said, "The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days he will rise."

He'd said a similar message to us before. We didn't understand it then. I'm sad to say that even with the time we've spent under his training, we still didn't understand the message. 

He was a leader who could save us. 

I think we all were afraid to ask him about it. Not that he would be cruel, but that he would be disappointed in us.

We walked farther, on to Capernaum where my home is, which explains why the tax collectors of the two-drachma tax came to me and asked, "Doesn't your teacher pay the temple tax?"

"Yes," I answered. "He does. It will be taken care of."

When I walked into the house, Jesus spoke before I had a chance to tell him what had happened. 

"What do you think, Simon?" Jesus sometimes called me Simon. "Who do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes? From their own sons or from others?"

"From others," I answered.

"Then the sons are exempt," Jesus said. "But so that we may not offend them, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch. Open its mouth. There you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours."

I did as Jesus said. I went down to the lake and threw in my line. It didn't take more than a breath before the line jiggled. I opened the mouth of the first fish. My surprise at finding a four-drachma coin was not that I doubted Jesus' words, but because it was amazing to see God's provision. I took the coin and delivered it to the tax collectors as Jesus said.

I don't think I will ever not be amazed at miracles that Jesus does. It stirs a happy sensation that makes me want to praise Him all the more. 

 Come back to read the next story.

*Author of blog's note: If you have questions, please feel free to leave them in the comment section. I will see them and will answer as best I can or direct you to a source.


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sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary
*My notes from my trip to Israel.
*Photos from my trip to Israel.

The Heart is the Key

By Mary Vee
Mark 7, Matthew 15

Peter

Photo by Mary Vee
The ruins of the synagogue in Capernaum

Jesus called to the people milling about. 

When they gathered close he said, "Please listen. Everyone. Listen closely and I will teach you. 

The people quieted.

Jesus said, "Nothing outside of a man can make him 'unclean' by going into him. Food and drink going into you does not make you unclean. What makes a person unclean is what comes out of that person."

I and the other disciples had heard the Pharisees in the crowd grumbling. We went to Jesus privately and said, "The Pharisees were offended when they heard what you said."

The people have always gone to the Pharisees to understand the law. The Pharisees have taught what should be eaten, what shouldn't be eaten, when to rest, when to work, and so much more. They have worked to make the law clear to the people. They have also made so many rules no one can remember all of them.

Jesus said, "If a plant grows that has not been planted by my heavenly Father, it will be pulled up by its roots. Leave the Pharisees, they are like guides who are blind. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit."

I wasn't exactly sure what Jesus meant by 'unclean,' so I asked, "Explain the parable to us."

"Don't you see that when food or drink goes into a man, it goes into his stomach then out of his body? The Pharisees require men not to eat certain foods as though the food itself had sinned. But these foods do not go to a man's heart, which is where sin resides. 

"It is the heart that makes a man unclean. Out of men's hearts come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance, and folly. All of these evils come from inside. They come from the heart and makes a man 'unclean.'

His explanation was so clear to me. The Pharisees had added requirements to the law. We are sinners from birth, and it has infected our heart. Eating or not eating certain foods and drinking or not drinking a beverage will not make us clean. 

There is nothing we can do to rid our hearts from sin. Only Jesus the Christ can make us clean. I have so much more to learn from Jesus. To do this, I have devoted my life to listening to His teachings and learning from Him.

 Come back to read the next story.

*Author of blog's note: If you have questions, please feel free to leave them in the comment section. I will see them and will answer as best I can or direct you to a source.


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sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary
*My notes from my trip to Israel.
*Photos from my trip to Israel.

The Search For Jesus

By Mary Vee
John 6

One of the 5,000 

Photo by Mary Vee. Ruins at Capernaum

Yesterday, I brought my wife and children to the place where others said Jesus would be. I wanted to hear what He had to say. My friends tell me this man has healed even the very sick and His teachings are like none any have heard before.

We spent the day listening to Jesus and around evening, we grew hungry. The story has already been told how Jesus miraculously fed all the people who were there. 5,000 men plus women and children! 

After we finished eating, the people wanted to make Jesus king. Some of the men and women pressed in toward Jesus. It looked like they wanted to lift him up in their arms and place a crown on his head. 

Jesus whispered to his disciples. They nodded, walked down the hill to their boat, and sailed away. Sometime after, Jesus left, I'm not sure when. There were so many people I didn't see him leave or which direction He went. 

Everyone hung around, assuming the disciples would return, which meant Jesus would also come back. When they didn't come back right away, some of the people boarded boats and went out searching for the disciples hoping to also find Jesus.

Nightfall came. Those of us who had stayed still didn't see Jesus. By the next morning, ships from Tiberias docked at the shore. We watched and saw neither Jesus nor His disciples stepping on to the shore.

We were confused. The disciples must have sailed to Gennesaret across the sea. No one could figure out where Jesus went.

We talked and decided the only answer that made sense was Jesus must have climbed into a boat and met His disciples across the sea.

We climbed into boats and sailed for Capernaum in search of Jesus and were so happy to see him when we docked. "Rabbi, when did you get here?"

Jesus said, "You are only looking for me because you had your fill of food yesterday. You haven't come because of the miraculous sign that you saw or what you learned. Don't work for food that spoils. Work for food that lasts eternally. The Son of Man will give this to you. On him, God the Father has placed his seal of approval."

We asked him, "What work does God want us to do?"

Jesus said, "God asks you to believe in the one he has sent."

We asked, "What miraculous sign can you give to help us believe you? Our forefathers ate manna in the desert given to them from heaven."

Jesus said, "Moses is not the one who gives bread from heaven. My Father gives the true bread from heaven. The bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world."

We asked Jesus to sit. "From now on, give us this bread."

Jesus said, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. But you have seen me and don't believe. Whoever comes to me, I will never drive away. I have come down from heaven not to do my will but the will of Him who sent me. Everyone who looks to the Son and believes will have eternal life and will be raised up at the last day.

 Come back to read the next story.

*Author of blog's note: If you have questions, please feel free to leave them in the comment section. I will see them and will answer as best I can or direct you to a source.


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sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary
*My notes from my trip to Israel.
*Photos from my trip to Israel.

Jairus's Men Reported His Daughter Was Dead

By Mary Vee
Mark 5

From Jairus's Journal 

On the Sea of Galilee facing the shore where
this story takes place.
Photo by Mary Vee

My name is Jairus. I am a Jewish ruler of the synogogue. The other rulers don't want anything to do with a man named Jesus who has been walking throughout the land and talking with crowds. They are bothered that His teachings will lead the people away from following them.

We as rulers have expanded the sacred laws written and given by God to Moses to help the people better worship God. We want to hold the people to a high standard and by doing the things we say, God will love them more.

But this man, Jesus. Though he is a Jew, he is different. I'd heard he has healed people from their diseases. My daughter is close to death. Immediately after hearing that news, I didn't care that He didn't follow our rules, I only cared that He could heal a sick person and maybe, my daughter.

I love my sweet little girl so very much. I ran from my house to the shores of the Sea of Galilee in Capernaum to watch for Jesus' return and to beg Him to come heal my daughter. 

Moments ago he returned by boat with his disciples. Shortly after they stepped onto the shore, I ran to him, fell at his feet and begged him to come heal my daughter. I offered to do whatever he asked in return. He said he would help my little girl and turned to follow me. The crowds who came to see what Jesus would say today, followed us. 

We had a slight delay on the way. A woman apparently touched Jesus' garment. He stopped walking and called out to her. She came forward. I saw nothing wrong with her. She and the people around her affirmed she'd had a blood disease for many years. When I looked at her, she seemed completly healed. That is what I want for my daughter.

While Jesus was still speaking to the woman, some men from my house ran toward us. They craned their necks to see me. I waved to them. They broked through the crowd and delivered this message: "Your daughter is dead. Why bother the teacher any more."

I'd hardly had a chance to think about their message when Jesus turned and said, "Don't be afraid. Just believe."

We walked the rest of the way to my house. Jesus stopped at the door and told the crowds who were weeping and wailing, "You must stay outside." He then said, "Why all this commotion and wailing? The child is not dead but asleep." The crowds laughed at him as though he was crazy. Jesus only let three of his disciples, Peter, James, and John come into my house after they said that.

I led them inside. My wife was weeping. Her eyes stained red. I put my arm on her and said, "All will be well. This is Jesus." She greeted him and pointed to our daughter's room. She led the way.

Jesus turned to those weeping in our home. "Do not follow us into the child's room."

We entered my child's room. There my darling daughter lay. Only twelve years old. Her eyes closed. Pale in skin. I could not see her breathe. She appeared dead. I drew in a breath and held back tears.

Jesus reached for my daughter's hand and wrapped his around hers. He said, "Talitha koum!" These words mean, "Little girl, I say to you, get up!"

Immediately my little girl's eyes opened. She looked up at Jesus and smiled. Her color returned to her face. She allowed Jesus to help her sit up then stand, but then she slid her hand away from his and walked around the room.

My heart raced with joy! I turned to my wife and hugged her. Her eyes still wide. Her smile, more joyful than I'd seen in a long time. 

Jesus smiled too. He had such peace on his face. This man who had stopped all he planned to came to my home and showed such kindness by healing my daughter said, "Don't tell anyone about this. Get your daughter something to eat right away."

My wife hurried out of the room to get her food. While she was gone, I hugged my daughter. My sweet daughter who was healed by Jesus.

We served Jesus and his men a meal. It was the least we could do. Actually, it was nothing compared to what Jesus did for us. He saved our daughter's life, and I will never forget.

 Come back to read the next story.

*Author of blog's note: If you have questions, please feel free to leave them in the comment section. I will see them and will answer as best I can or direct you to a source.


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sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary
*My notes from my trip to Israel.
*Photos from my trip to Israel.

I Believe You Will, Jesus

By Mary Vee
Matthew 8 and Luke 7

From Matthew's Journal 

Photo by Mary Vee. View down to the Sea of Galilee from
the Mountain where it is believed Jesus was at this time.
Capernaum is down and to the left by the shore.

We'd spent much of the day on the side of a mountain bordering the Sea of Galilee with crowds of people and Jesus. It was the most amazing time I'd spent under the teachings of a great rabbi. My name is Matthew, and I am a disciple of Jesus. 

Once the people left, Jesus walked down to the city located on the shore called Capernaum. 

Some elders of the Jews came to Jesus. "Please, rabbi. We were sent to ask your help."

Jesus said, "What do you need?"

One man seemed to be their leader. He said, "There is a centurion's servant who is highly valued by his master. The servant is sick and about to die. The centurion sent us to ask for your help. This man, we feel, deserves to have your help because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue."

Jesus chose to go with the men. The other disciples and I followed to see what would happen. 

We walked through the city, turning at side streets.

After turning one corner, the leader of the elders said, "His house isn't much farther."

About this same time, a group of men ran from the direction we were walking. They shouted, "Wait. We have a message from our master, the centurion. He says, 'Lord, don't trouble yourself, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. That is why I did not consider myself worthy to come to you. Please, simply say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, 'Go,' and he goes. I tell that one, 'Come' and he comes. I say to my servant, 'Do this' and he does it."

Jesus smiled. His eyebrows raised. He turned to the crowd that followed us and said, "Please listen, I have not found such great man of faith anywhere in Israel. 

"Many will come from the east and the west and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. 

"But those who lived in the kingdom beforehand, those who have no loyalty or belief in the king, or have a desire to serve will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."

Jesus turned to them and said, "Go. Tell your master the healing you asked for your servant has been done as you believed it would." 

The servants ran back to their master's home as Jesus said to deliver the message.

We went to the home a little later and saw the servant well. He was up and feeling fine.

What lesson did I learn from this? Well, I suppose it would be that when I ask God for help I should first believe that He will listen and help, then I should let Him take charge. His answer is best.

 Come back to read the next story.

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sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary
*My notes from my trip to Israel.
*Photos from my trip to Israel.

The Tax Collector Who Left His Money Table

By Mary Vee
Mark 2; Luke 5, Matthew 9

From Mark's Journal 

Photo by Mary Vee
I am standing on the shore of
The Sea of Galilee at Capernaum
These rock served a great purpose,
They helped amplify Jesus' voice when
he spoke to the large crowds.

My name is Mark. I am a disciple of Jesus. I am here with other disciples, so they may add something today. 

This morning, as every other one, Jesus started the day knowing exactly where He wanted to go and what He wanted to do. There were no questions or floundering. Jesus had a plan. Sometimes He told us ahead of time. Sometimes He didn't. But He always had a plan and nothing seemed to surprise HIm.

Shortly after breakfast, we walked with him down to the shore of the Sea of Galilee. There were fishermen around and crowds gathered to buy fresh fish. They looked over and saw Jesus. 

People pointed. They said His name.

It didn't take long for the crowd to leave the market and  come to hear Jesus speak. His reputation for healing the sick and speaking words that had an authority they'd not heard from the priests had spread in this area. 

They liked to hear Him speak and were willing to listen to Him talk about God's teachings for hours.

Jesus walked along the shore that morning, and turned toward a man sitting at a table off to the side. His name was Levi and he was a tax collector. In our time, tax collectors were not thought of very highly. They tended to take more than the tax that was due from the people. 

If a person didn't pay what the tax collector demanded, he or she could be put into slavery. The tax collectors became very rich. Levi was no exception.

Levi sat at his table when Jesus looked his way. Jesus called out to him, "Follow me."

I smile because I remember when Jesus said the same words to me a while ago. I understood what happened in Levi's mind the moment he heard Jesus say that. 

Levi had seen and heard about Jesus. He may have been curious but not enough to leave his work and devote his days listening to Jesus' teaching. But when Jesus said, "Follow Me," there was a sense of this is the right thing to do going on in our heads. Without a speck of doubt I knew, and he probably did too, the certainty that Jesus was a man who was worthy of following.

I wasn't surprised at all when Levi stood and left his tables. He walked down to the shore and joined Jesus' and His followers on the shore.

What he did next was unbelievable. Come back to read what happened.

Come back to read the next story.

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sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary
*My notes from my trip to Israel.

Matthew- Four of the Best Friends

By Mary Vee
Matthew 9; Mark 2; Luke 5

From Matthew's Journal 

Photo by Mary Vee
Remains of the synagogue in Capernaum
The area has several rooms and is quite large.

My name is Matthew. I am a disciple of Jesus. I am here with other disciples, so they may add something today. 

Jesus told us this morning we would go back to Capernaum. We followed him there. Several of the disciples had grown up here and were very happy to return.

Again, the word spread that Jesus was going to Capernaum long before we even reached the city. We barely made it into a home where He planned to speak to the crowds. 

The people quieted when Jesus began to preach. The quiet was so good. He taught may new and amazing things. Teachings that tell us how God wants us to live and how we should worship HIm. 

More men and women came. They pressed closer, trying to hear Jesus speak. No one could move in or out of the home where He stood. 

We didn't know at the time, but four friends brought a man they cared about deeply. He was paralyzed. They carried their friend a distance on a stretcher hoping to get close enough to Jesus.

As they came closer they asked the men and women in the crowd to let them through. No one did. The friends tried from different angles hoping to find some kind person to let them through.

Meanwhile on the inside Jesus continued to teach. There were also the Scribes standing close to him. Their squinty eyes said they wanted to find evidence to prove Jesus wrong. 

Back outside where the four friends carried their friend, they decided to give up. Not completely. They wanted to find another way to get close to Jesus. Our homes have roofs that we use for gardens, eating, some people even put bedrooms up there. The roofs are flat and have a parapet, that is a small wall that lets a person know they are near the edge. 

The four friends carried their friend to the roof using the stairs along the outside of the house. They carefully walked him to the roof, taking care to not let him fall off the stretcher. On top, they began to pull away the roof tiles.

Back inside the home, Jesus and all the people near him look up and watched the roof tiles move. The Scribes who stood inside couldn't believe their eyes. Actually, they became too upset to speak. 

Jesus, though, welcomed the men. They lowered their friend down. Slowly. Releasing inches of rope at the same time until their friend lay on the floor near Jesus. 

Jesus looked at the man and then his four friends on the roof. He saw proof of their faith and turned to the man, "Son, your sins are forgiven."

The Scribes who saw the whole thing whispered to one another, "Why does this man talk like that? He is blaspheming God. Who can forgive sins but God alone?"

Jesus told us that He knew in his spirit, right then, that this was what they were thinking. He said, "Why are you thinking this? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven or to say 'Get up, take your mat and walk'? 

"So you will know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins..." Jesus turned to the paralytic man and said, "I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home." The man got up, took his mat, and walked out in full view of everyone there. 

The people who watched this happen whispered and talked with each other. They praised God saying, "We have never seen anything like this!"

The paralyzed man walked away.

Jesus didn't hide the healing of the paralytic. He showed the people and had written for us what God did for this man. 

Come back to read the next story.

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sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary
*My notes from my trip to Israel.

Peter-Fever Kept Her Down, But Jesus Help Her Up

By Mary Vee
Mark 1

From Peter's Journal 

Photo by Mary Vee
Remains of the synagogue in Capernaum
The area has several rooms and is quite large.

My name is Peter. I am a disciple of Jesus.  I am here in Capernaum with several disciples. You may know some, they are James and John the sons of Zebedee, Matthew, Mark, Luke and others.

We went with Jesus to the synagogue. I told the story last time but here is a reminder, What a time! He spoke from the sacred Scriptures then forced a demon to leave a man. The whole thing caused quite a stir. As we left the synagogue, men who heard and saw Jesus that morning talked about what had happened as they walked away.  

I hadn't expected to see such a thing myself. I tell you, every minute I am with Jesus, I want to be with Him more. 

In my time, many men have risen to importance and have had a following. They inspire those who follow them to unite against the Romans to preserve our way of culture and way of life. But Jesus. He's different. What He says. What He does. His words and actions aren't about fighting the Romans. His message is more about us changing. I'm not really sure how to explain it yet. 

Photo by Mary Vee
The remains of one home in Capernaum possibly Peter's
Many branches of a family shared one big dwelling.
Rooms were walled off with their own exterior entrance.

Since my house was close by, we went there to get something to eat. 

When we arrived I saw my mother-in-law was in bed. She had a high fever and looked really ill. Her face was red from the burning heat. Her lips dry. She couldn't keep her eyes open and didn't speak. 

I gathered the disciples and Jesus away from her room and told them the news. "My mother-in-law is very ill. She has a terrible fever. I'm concerned she many not live."

"May I see her?"Jesus asked.

"Yes. Of course." I expected He would try to speak to her then console me. When someone older was this ill, there wasn't much that could be done. I showed him the way to her room. 

He walked into the room and said her name. I was surprised because I didn't remember telling Him her name. He walked to her bed and without saying a word gently reached for her hand. 

He spoke with such compassion. "Are you ready to get up?"

She smiled at him. Did you hear that? She could smile!

Happiness replaced the sickness in her eyes. She looked at him and said with a strength I didn't expect. "Yes."

Jesus helped her to sit. 

She didn't act sick any more. The red in her face had left. Her strength restored, and she could stand. She walked as though she had no illness. She looked into the front room and saw the others. "You must be hungry. I'll fix you something to eat."

Without a thought, a stumble, or a waver of her legs, she set to making a meal for all of us! 

Before she went to the food storage, she said to me, "Peter, you have been searching for the man who will save us for some time now. This man, Jesus, is the one you should listen to and follow."

Even though I was there, I'm not exactly sure what was communicated between them. But this I know, my mother-in-law was near death with fever and now she is well because of Jesus.

Come back to read the next story.

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sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary
*My notes from my trip to Israel.

Jesus: The Kingdom of Heaven is Near

By Mary Vee
Matthew 4, Mark 1, Luke 4

From Matthew, Mark, and Luke's Journal 

Photo by Mary Vee
The Sea of Galilee

My name is Matthew, I am a disciple of Jesus. Mark and Luke are sitting here with me, ready to tell what we know about our time with Jesus. 

News about John the Baptist spread. Herod had put him in prison. When Jesus heard what happened, he acted like he knew. Although the news made Jesus sad, he got up and walked to the road as if there was a job that needed to be done. 

"We are returning to Galilee," He said.

We gathered our few belongings and left Nazareth, the city where Jesus grew up. I was happy about our leaving. Not many of the people treated him very well there.  

We walked northeast toward the Sea of Galilee. Just so you know, that body of water isn't huge like the Mediterranean Sea. If you went to visit it today, it wouldn't seem gigantic. Water is drained from this sea in your time and bottled. As a result, the water level is going down. During the time Mark, John, and I lived, no one bothered to bottle water. So the sea level was much higher.

On the north side of the lake is a city called Capernaum. This was the town Peter and his mother-in-law had a home. It was the land given to the tribes of Zebulun and Naphtali back in the days of Joshua. Come to think of it, the prophet Isaiah wrote these words long ago:

Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way to the sea, along the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles--
The people living in darkness have seen a great light. On those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.  (Note from Mary Vee: this is Isaiah 9:1,2)

This is exactly what John the Baptizer said about Jesus. John the Baptizer said he was the one preparing the way and that Jesus was the light. Now here we are, going along the Jordan, up to Galilee after leaving Nazareth and into the land of Zebulun. I don't know about you, but I find this exciting to be a part of Isaiah's words coming true.

Jesus woke early each morning when we lived in Capernaum. We ate fish for breakfast then a crowd of people would gather around him. It was at this time that Jesus began to preach this message: "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near."

Luke here. News spread throughout the whole countryside about Jesus and the things he said. Jesus taught in the synagogues, because it was a place where regular men went to debate all kinds of topics. He like to teach these men about God. If you could have heard how smart Jesus was. There wasn't a single question that caught him off guard. Jesus knew a lot and he enjoyed helping people.

I'm not surprised everyone praised him as the Messiah. Probably because...He is.

Come back to read the next story.

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sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary
*My notes from my trip to Israel.