“Then began He to upbraid the cities wherein most of His mighty works were done, because they repented not:
‘Woe unto thee, Chorazin! Woe unto thee, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you. And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee.’ ” Matthew 11:20-24
Capernaum
Go Your Way Faith
“And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto Him a centurion, beseeching Him, and saying, ‘Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented.’ And Jesus saith unto him, ‘I will come and heal him.’ The centurion answered and said, ‘Lord, I am not worthy that Thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, ‘Go,’ and he goeth; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he cometh; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he doeth it.’ When Jesus heard it, He marvelled, and said to them that followed, ‘Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ And Jesus said unto the centurion, ‘Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee.’ And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour.” (Matthew 8:4-13)
King Jesus And Taxes
What a crazy world we live in. People being taxed to oblivion to pay for wants that someone else wants for us. Sometimes, much of the time taxes just don’t seem fair, nor impartial.
Jesus Christ, Son of the living God is King, and Lord or all; yet He subjected Himself to the affairs of men; even the paying of taxes. The taxes we look at in this study is a gift for the temple basically. You will find the beginning of this tax in Exodus 30:13, and it tells us that every male above the age of twenty, once per year was to pay this to fund the upkeep of the tabernacle and the temple.
There are some practical things we can see in this lesson; but we must not miss the miracle which was performed either.
“And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute? He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers? Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free. Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.” Matthew 17:24-27 (KJV)
First of all they were at headquarters, the place where they met most often, for recuperation, and be with family and friends – Capernaum. Peter is questioned about the temple tax. Then, Jesus questions Peter concerning the matter of taxes. Who pays taxes sons or strangers? Of course we must realize that the government Jesus is referring to is a monarchy, a rule by king, and the king nor his sons would be required to pay taxes. After all they are the one’s receiving the tax.
Jesus illustrates that the children of the king are also free from taxes; but goes on to say, “Lest we should offend them, go…” Jesus is the King of the temple, He owns the temple, He is Lord of the temple, therefore free from the taxes of the temple, and then He states, “Then are the children free.” So as not to offend Jesus sends Peter on a fishing trip.
Here on this fishing trip is where the miracle takes place and a good lesson of faith, and practicality. Peter was called to follow Jesus, and he left his nets [fishing] and followed Him. Now when there is an immediate need Jesus sends Him back to do something he knows, but only for what he needs, and Jesus’s need as well.
The practical thing could be that Peter went fishing caught fish, sold them and then brought the money to pay the taxes for he and Jesus, but then we would miss the miracle. If Peter would have done that he would have missed it. How many times have we missed a miracle because we were doing what Jesus sent us to do, but we did more than what He said?
“Take up the fish that first cometh up.” was the word of Jesus to Peter, “and thou shalt find a piece of money”. If Peter would have taken all the fish in the net, and sold them, he would have missed the miracle of Jesus’s supply.
We should be able to learn from this that there are jobs, careers, vocations, which are honorable, bring us great rewards, and when we do them with honor, and joy, helping others along the way, then we can be blessed. Now it isn’t every fisherman who can go, catch a fish, open its mouth and find a coin, and it be the exact amount needed to pay taxes for two men.
Peter, for once, did what he was commanded to do. In doing so he was blessed and unnecessary offense was avoided.
Let us go and do likewise. Jesus is the King of kings.
-Tim A. Blankenship
Go To The One Who Can
FRIENDS WHO KNOW GO TO THE ONE WHO CAN.
“And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four. And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay. When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee. But there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts, Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only? And immediately when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, he said unto them, Why reason ye these things in your hearts? Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk? But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house. And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion.” Mark 2:3-12 (KJV)
Even though it was in Capernaum there were some there who believed in who Jesus was. They went to great extremes to see that their friend who could not walk would be able to walk when he met Jesus. There was a problem, though. That was a problem of a crowd who had gathered to hear Jesus speak. It was in a home of someone who had invited Jesus to stay there, most likely. They could not get their friend through the crowd, so they went to the roof and began tearing away the dried clay, wood, and what ever other particles there was until there was a hole large enough to lower a man on a “bed”. What friendship. What devotion. What a faith.
Jesus makes a statement which caused some discontent in the thoughts of some who were present for this great gathering. “Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.” These “scribes” of the law accused Jesus of blasphemy. “Blasphemy” = “irreverence toward something considered sacred’ MIRRIAM/WEBSTER DICTIONARY. For Jesus these Scribes were thinking of Jesus taking on the role of God, and that was blasphemy. To the religious leader of Jesus’s day “Only God can forgive sin”, and that is absolutely correct. By this statement Jesus was declaring to these “leaders” that He was God. In order to prove He had the power, privilege, and authority to forgive sin He healed the man who was let down through the roof and ceiling.
We have no idea how long this man had been sick and unable to walk. It really does not matter though, because Jesus healed him and he got up, took his bedroll and went home. This event is in all three of the synoptic gospels. It is very similar in Matthew, Mark, and Luke. Matthew reckons the statement of the “Scribes” as “evil”. Jesus said, “Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts?” (Matthew 9:4), after they were thinking Jesus being blasphemous. Luke’s version is, “What reason ye in your hearts?”.
βλασφημία blasphēmia
blas-fay-me’-ahFrom G989; vilification (especially against God): – blasphemy, evil speaking, railing.
How they could accuse Jesus of blasphemy is beyond understanding. What He did He did in God’s name, He did for God’s glory – the crowd glorified God; and the man got up and went home. Because of the faith of these friends God is glorified and their friend is up walking, glorifying God as well as the throng of people who witnessed it.
In a world filled with turmoil it is great to know that we can still go to the One who can take care or our every need. Notice that “Need” not our every want. Go To The One Who Can. His name is Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God.
-Tim A. Blankenship
PROMISES AND PROPHECIES 10 & 11
These are the final references to prophecies, in this series, having to do with Israel in Scripture, God’s promises and prophecies concerning them, the land, and their return to God.
As I stated at the beginning of this series they were put together by my Brother in Christ (Dr. Wayne Stephens) who had been to Israel, and loved the Word of God, and the Promises and Prophecies concerning these events.
Brother Wayne went home to be with the Lord on January 6th of 2006. My contribution to these articles has been only adding the reference verse to the address of the verse, and publishing them on the pages of FIRE AND HAMMER.
VERSES REFERRING TO PLACES WE [Bro. Wayne Stephens and wife Sylvia] VISITED.
A. Ashkelon: 1 Kings 19:3 – “And when he saw that, he arose, and went for his life, and came to Beersheba, which belongeth to Judah, and left his servant there.” (KJV).
2 Kings 12:1 – “In the seventh year of Jehu Jehoash began to reign; and forty years reigned he in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Zibiah of Beersheba.” (KJV).
Jeremiah 47:7 – “How can it be quiet, seeing the LORD hath given it a charge against Ashkelon, and against the sea shore? there hath he appointed it.” (KJV).
B. Bethany: Matthew 17; Matthew 21:1 – “And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples, 2 Saying unto them, Go into the village over against you, and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them, and bring them unto me.” (KJV).
C. Capernaum: Matthew 4:18 – “And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.” (KJV).
John 6:16 – “And when even was now come, his disciples went down unto the sea,” (KJV).
Also see Mark 1:21; 5:41; 11:23
D. Caves of Machpelah: Genesis 25:7-10; 49:28 – 50:14. NOTE: Tombs of the patriarchs and matriarchs, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob; Sarah, Rebeccah and Leah.
E. Caesarea: Acts 8:26-40.
F. Field of Ruth and Field of Shepherds Luke 1:8.
G. Jericho called city of Palm trees. Deuteronomy 34:3; Joshua 2:6; 2 Kings 2:15.
H. Joppa: Joshua 19:46; Acts 9:36; John 1:1-3; Acts 10.
I. Jordon River: Joshua 1 – 3; 3:3-4; Matthew 3:5; Deuteronomy 12:31.
J. Megiddo: 2 Kings 9:15; 1 Kings 10:26; 2 Chronicles 38:20; Revelation 16:16. NOTE: The ruins of Megiddo include the gate and wall, stables, “Manger”, palace where ivory fragments were found; water tunnel and Canaanite temple.
K. Mount of Beatitudes (Horns of Hattin) Matthew 5 – 7.
L. Mount Gerizin (Blessing) and Mount Ebal (Curse): Deuteronomy 12:29.
M. Mount Tabor: Judges 4:5; Hosea 5:1.
N. Nazareth: Luke 1:26-38; Matthew 2:23; Luke 2:51.
O. Pool of Siloam: 2 Kings 25:4; 2 Chronicles 32:4-30; John 9:1-11. Zedekiah and his men escaped through here to Jericho.
P. Rachel’s Tomb: Jeremiah 31:15 (Weeping).
Q. Sea of Galilee: Matthew 4:13; Luke 8:22-25.
R. Shechem: John 4; Genesis 33:18.
S. Valley of Elah: 1 Samuel 17:2.
T. Valley of Gahena: Matthew 27:5-8.
U. Wilderness of Judea: Matthew 4:1-2; Luke 3:2-4.
XI. PRAY FOR JERUSALEM.
A. Psalm 122:1 – “I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD. 2 Our feet shall stand within thy gates, O Jerusalem. 3 Jerusalem is builded as a city that is compact together: 4 Whither the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD, unto the testimony of Israel, to give thanks unto the name of the LORD. 5 For there are set thrones of judgment, the thrones of the house of David.
and prays for peace 6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee. 7 Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces. 8 For my brethren and companions’ sakes, I will now say, Peace be within thee. 9 Because of the house of the LORD our God I will seek thy good.” (KJV).
Psalm 125:2 – “As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the LORD is round about his people from henceforth even for ever.” (KJV).
B. Isaiah 66:10 – “Rejoice ye with Jerusalem, and be glad with her, all ye that love her: rejoice for joy with her, all ye that mourn for her: 11 That ye may suck, and be satisfied with the breasts of her consolations; that ye may milk out, and be delighted with the abundance of her glory. 12 For thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the Gentiles like a flowing stream: then shall ye suck, ye shall be borne upon her sides, and be dandled upon her knees.” (KJV).
Amos 9:14 – “And I will bring again the captivity of my people of Israel, and they shall build the waste cities, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and drink the wine thereof; they shall also make gardens, and eat the fruit of them. 15 And I will plant them upon their land, and they shall no more be pulled up out of their land which I have given them, saith the LORD thy God.” (KJV).
Edited for tags and categories by t.a. 03/12/10
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