How we react to rejection says a lot about what kind of person we are. Some people allow rejection to destroy them. They withdraw from others and will not take the risk of trying again. Other people view rejection as a challenge. They will go somewhere else or try a different approach to accomplish their goals.
Jesus tried to proclaim the good news of God’s Kingdom in the town of Nazareth, where He grew up. However, the people there became offended and tried to kill Him. Instead of giving up on the mission God gave Him, Jesus moved elsewhere. He selected the town of Capernaum on the Sea of Galilee as His base of operations. Whatever His reasons for choosing it, Capernaum seems to be the place Jesus called ‘home’ during the rest of His ministry. It was after moving there that Jesus’ ministry became widely known.
In chapter 4 of his inspired Gospel, Luke tells us what sparked Jesus’ popularity. In verses 31 through 44 he writes, “He came down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee. He was teaching them on the Sabbath day, and they were astonished at his teaching, for his word was with authority. In the synagogue there was a man who had a spirit of an unclean demon, and he cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Ah! what have we to do with you, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are: the Holy One of God!” Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” When the demon had thrown him down in the middle of them, he came out of him, having done him no harm. Amazement came on all, and they spoke together, one with another, saying, “What is this word? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out!” News about him went out into every place of the surrounding region. He rose up from the synagogue, and entered into Simon’s house. Simon’s mother-in-law was afflicted with a great fever, and they begged him for her. He stood over her, and rebuked the fever; and it left her. Immediately she rose up and served them. When the sun was setting, all those who had any sick with various diseases brought them to him; and he laid his hands on every one of them, and healed them. Demons also came out of many, crying out, and saying, “You are the Christ, the Son of God!” Rebuking them, he didn’t allow them to speak, because they knew that he was the Christ. When it was day, he departed and went into an uninhabited place, and the multitudes looked for him, and came to him, and held on to him, so that he wouldn’t go away from them. But he said to them, “I must preach the good news of God’s Kingdom to the other cities also. For this reason I have been sent.” He was preaching in the synagogues of Galilee.”
Though Jesus had performed miracles before, it was these events at Capernaum which brought Jesus to the attention of the crowds. Of the total number of miracles Jesus performed during His ministry, only a few are recorded. The accounts indicate that the number of people Jesus healed probably numbered in the hundreds, if not thousands. This raises a question. What was the purpose, or intent, of the miracles?
One thing we know for sure is that, in contrast to many who claim to work miracles today, Jesus did not perform miracles or heal people in order to attract crowds or to gain notoriety. We know this because, on several occasions, He told people not to tell others about what He had done.
If the purpose of the miracles was not to draw attention, then what were they for? One of their purposes was to act as signs. In other words, they showed something about the nature and identity of Jesus. They were intended to open people’s eyes to greater truth or understanding.
The miracles were also Jesus’ authenticator. They were intended as proof that He came from God – that He was working in the power of God. For example, the Apostle John writes, “The Jews gathered around him, saying, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” Jesus answered, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The miracles I do in my Father’s name speak for me,”” (John 10:24-25 NIV) Another time He said, “Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves.” (John 14:11 NIV)
Another thing we can say is that Jesus never healed at random. It was either as a result of a specific request, He took pity on someone who was in no condition to ask for help, or to make a spiritual point.
In this instance at Capernaum, Jesus drove out an evil spirit. This demonstrated that Jesus had power over the devil. As a result of Jesus’ healing this man, people immediately recognized that Jesus had authority. This made them willing to listen to His teaching.
Incidentally, many people think that the devil, or evil spirits, cannot enter a place which is set apart to worship God. This is not true. The demon-possessed man came into the synagogue along with everyone who was there to worship and hear God’s word. It is not the place which is important but the condition of our hearts. Today, Satan can influence someone regardless of where they are, if they have not given themselves to Christ. It is becoming a follower of Christ and having His Holy Spirit living within us that protects us from Satan. Satan was able to enter Judas, who was one of Jesus’ chosen Apostles, in spite of Jesus’ presence because Judas determined to do evil. If we do not seek after the things of God, being in a church building, or wearing a cross, is no protection.
Jesus healed the demon-possessed man on a Sabbath, that is, the day the Law of Moses set aside for people to rest and to worship God. At soon as the Sabbath was over at sundown, the people of Capernaum brought their sick to Jesus – and He healed them all. One of the interesting things about this is that the demons He cast out knew who He was. However, Jesus would not allow them to speak. He did not need or want the testimony of the devil.
After healing the sick, Jesus slipped away from the crowds in preparation for traveling elsewhere. When people found Him again, they begged Him to stay. Jesus refused because God sent Him to preach the good news to other towns also. This is something we sometimes forget. Jesus did not come only for us, but for all people. Do we try to keep the good news to ourselves?
Upon His return to Capernaum, Jesus invited some men to give up their occupations and follow Him permanently. To learn about this, please listen to our next program.