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3 entries for this category:
 | What changes should there have been in cities like Chorazin and Bethsaida as a result of the mighty works performed by Jesus? |
Bethsaida was the home of three of Jesus’ disciples, Peter and his brother Andrew, and Philip (John 1:44). Apparently Peter later moved to Capernaum, where his mother-in-law (and wife) resided (Matt 8:14,15; Mark 1:30,31; Luke 4:38,39). Since fishing was the main industry in each of these towns, Peter’s move of some three miles would be unremarkable, except that Capernaum was to become the base of Jesus’ Galilean ministry. The small plain that surrounds Bethsaida (el-‘Araj) may have been the loche location of Jesus’ "Sermon on the Mount," if this account recorded another occasion on which Jesus gave this message (Luke 6:17-49). At the conclusion of the "Sermon on the Mount," Jesus illustrated the importance of basing one’s life on God’s truth, rather than on human teaching, by contrasting the foundations on which two builders constructed their homes (Luke 6:47-49). His reference may have been to the plain at el-‘Araj, where builders would need to dig through some five feet of alluvial soil to find bedrock. "Foolish builders" would build on the sandy overlay, to their sorrow when the spring floods came down from the hills; "wise builders" would have no problem since they had built their houses on the rock stratum below. (The three disciples who came from Bethsaida would have especially appreciated this illustration.) Jesus performed a unique healing at Bethsaida, restoring a man’s sight in stages (Mark 8:22-26). Apparently He used this method to demonstrate to His disciples their imperfect understanding of His deity at that time. In this miracle, He sought to prepare their hearts for the next revelation of His person. From Bethsaida they proceeded up the Jordan Valley to Caesarea Philippi, where He would ask them, "Who do you say that I am?" (Matt 16:15;Mark 8:27; Luke 9:20) By: Mary Jones
Category: What changes should there have been in cities like Chorazin and Bethsaida as a result of the mighty works performed by Jesus? |
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