Matthew 11:16-24 ~ the Son of Man came eating and drinking

Capernaum, Israel. Photo from c. 1968. Peter's house & Capernaum Synagogue.

View from Peter's house:

Matthew 11:16-24 ~ (New International Version)

16 "To what can I compare this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others:

17 " 'We played the flute for you,

and you did not dance;

we sang a dirge

and you did not mourn.'

18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, 'He has a demon.' 19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and "sinners." ' But wisdom is proved right by her actions."

20 Then Jesus began to denounce the cities in which most of his miracles had been performed, because they did not repent. 21 "Woe to you, Korazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! If the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22 But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. 23 And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to the skies? No, you will go down to the depths. If the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day. 24 But I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you."

Yesterday we read portions of the first chapter of the Gospel of John. Gospel – a report regarded as true and implicitly believed, of prime importance, glad tidings. When meeting people, Jesus knew them exactly to their soul and they responded. Nathanael believed at the first few words with Jesus, He is the Christ.

Matthew saw Jesus’ time on earth as a celebration; Jesus came eating and drinking. All the Gospels agree, most people saw Jesus as a friend, immediately. Remember Jesus never asked a disciple more than once - Jesus loved them.

Matthew 25:2

Well done, good and faithful servant

2 Timothy 2:15

present yourself to God as one approved

Capernaum was a city Jesus said would go down to the depths. Archaeology, also, goes down to the depths. Jesus lived in Capernaum, Matthew 4 records. What of Peter’s house; where Peter’s mother-in-law fixed Jesus dinner? It went from being the largest, most wealthy house in Capernaum, to becoming a house church. The walls were covered with graffiti, until the next Church was built at the site in the 5th century A.D. The graffiti was praise of Jesus, awe at being in the house where Jesus and Peter had fellowship. It is the only house in Capernaum where the plaster, on the walls, remains.

There is another archeological site that has the same graffiti, it is the tomb of Peter under the Vatican altar. Archaeology either dances at the evidence or it mourns, as all sites require faith – it is up to the eyes of faith to determine what we will believe.

I choose to see Jesus’ words and miracles are still revered and my soul - lifted up to the skies.

Romans 15:13

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

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