WHEN THEY came out of the synagogue Jesus went to the house of Simon and Andrew. As soon as He was in the house they told Him that Simon's mother-in-law was very ill in bed with a fever. He came and taking her by the hand he lifted her up. At once the fever left her, she became quite well, and got up and waited on them.
The news that Jesus was in Simon's house soon spread through the city, and when evening came and the sun was setting, a strange crowd gathered round the door. There were all sorts of sick people there, many of them so ill they had to be carried. There were others possessed with devils, they too were brought by their friends, and the whole city was gathered together at the door.
What happy homes and what rejoicings there were in Capernaum that night! for Jesus cast out all the devils with a word, and healed all that were sick.
Yet it was of that same city, Capernaum, where Jesus did such mighty works, that He afterwards said:
"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." Matt. 11:23,2423And 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. 24But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee. (Matthew 11:23‑24).
Why did the Lord Jesus speak such terribly sad and solemn words about Capernaum? It was just this — the people of Capernaum were willing to listen to Jesus, they were astonished at His teaching, they saw His mighty works, they even sought for Him, but they loved their sins and they would not repent.
When the people sought for Jesus the next morning, they did not find Him in Simon's house, for He had gone out long before it was day to a desert place, a quiet, lonely spot where He could pray. Simon and those with him followed Jesus, and when they found Him they said to Him, "All men seek for Thee."
But Jesus said, "Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also; for therefore came I forth."
Messages of the Love of God 8/17/1975