Exodus 25, Job 11-12, Mark 1:21-39, 1 Corinthians 7:25-31, Psalm 56: Just slowing down enough to write my devotion. Have had some of the grands here the last 3 days and this grandmother is worn out! Lol. Thankful for these precious little ones but tired. As I pondered what I would write today I chose to write about a place we visited back in December. It was the fishing village of Capernaum that rests on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. We visited the ruins of the Synagogue that Jesus cast the demonic spirits out of the man recorded in our reading today. One of the things we learned about a Synagogue is that it was not a church at first. During Jesus’ time on earth and before a Synagogue was a place for people to exchange ideas and debate. Popular thinkers and governmental leaders as well as religious figures would come to discuss the issues of the day. The Torah was read there and men would debate or be taught from it. So it was not a church were the demon possessed man had come. It was a place where he knew this man who commanded spirits and healed sicknesses would be. Jesus made it his practice to visit the Synagogue in each town He came to.
I love how when things got heated Jesus just stepped away. That is a wise practice for us as well. When we were in Capernaum we walked what would have been the street in those days less than a block away to the home where Peter and Andrew resided. Peter’s mother in law was sick and Jesus healed her. Immediately she got up prepared a meal. As we stood there and looked over the ruins of that old home it reminded me that hospitality was the outpouring of a grateful heart. She wanted to show Jesus appreciation. I wonder sometimes if one of the reasons I love to cook and have people in my home is not because of how grateful I am as well for all God has done for me. He healed my sin sick heart. He made me well. I am forever grateful. Whether my hospitality is extended to family like this week or friends, I do it with a grateful heart praying all see my love for my Savior.