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And He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up; and as was His custom, He entered the synagogue on the Sabbath, and stood up to read…And He said to them, "No doubt you will quote this proverb to Me, 'Physician, heal yourself! Whatever we heard was done at Capernaum, do here in your hometown as well.'" And He said, "Truly I say to you, no prophet is welcome in his hometown.– Luke 4:16,23-24 (NASB)

When He had come back to Capernaum several days afterward, it was heard that He was at home. – Mark 2:1 (NASB)

Matthew says that leaving Nazareth, the Master settled in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali[1]Capernaum several days afterward, it was heard that He was at home.[2]Jesus headquartered in Capernaum rather than Nazareth? ” Isn’t it interesting and just a little strange that . Mark agrees, saying that, “when He had come back to

It was in Capernaum that many people witnessed his ministry[3]. Why would a man from Nazareth have to go to Capernaum for his public ministry? You’d think that the place where he’d grown up, the place that had witnessed his sinless life, the place that had lived with Him day in and day out would be the most likely to accept the Miracle Worker.

But familiarity breeds contempt. Sometimes the place where we grow up is the place where we are hurt the most. Sometimes in our Nazareths, people will cut our throats, tear us down, and set us up to fail.

There is an old saying that “an expert is anyone from more than twenty miles away.” Sometimes you will take the very same message that God has given you to another family or another community and you will find a receptive audience. It is unfortunate, but true. Moses struggled with his family[4]. Even our Savior struggled with this problem.

I declare to you today that when doors close in your Nazareth, God will open a door in a Capernaum. Your family may reject you. Your church may not recognize the value of your ministry. Your hometown may underestimate you. But if you are willing to follow God, He will take you to the very place where you can best be used. And it will be in your Capernaum that you will exercise God’s word, effectively do God’s work, and become an exciting witness to His unfailing love.

How do I know this? I know it because God wants His kingdom built. He wants people saved. He is not willing that any should perish but that all come to everlasting life[5]. And if you come alongside His will and start trying to do His will, you will be successful[6]. Maybe not the way the world counts success, but you will find true, lasting, eternal success.

[1] Matthew 4:13

[2] Mark 2:1

[3] Matthew 11:23

[4] Numbers 12:1

[5] 2 Peter 3:9; John 3:16; Romans 5:8; 1 Peter 2:24

[6] Matthew 6:33

"Today's Little Lift" from Jim Bullington

The Comfort of the Scriptures (12-20-10)