Coming Home

And when he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. And many were gathered together, so that there was no longer room for them, not even about the door; and he was preaching the word to them.   Mark 2:1-2 

And they went into Capernaum; and immediately on the Sabbath he entered the synagogue and taught. Mark 1:21  

But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him, as he told you. Mark 16:7

 

Recently a theme at church has been “ home”. When I think about home, I think about Sioux City, not just my original home, but the home to many of my family and friends. There were visits to the grandparents, picnics in the parks, large family holiday meals and get-togethers, hiking through the loess hills, school activities, and attending church –a place where you were always welcome and loved.  For Jesus, home was Galilee. Mark talks about the early ministry of Jesus being close to his home. There were important landmarks including the Sea of Galilee, the River Jordan, the synagogue at Capernaum, a special lonely place where he could pray, and climbing up into the hills. In reading Mark, I suddenly realized that for Jesus—home was also his family, friends, neighbors, and his church. Much of his time there was spent in preaching and healing those around him who he probably knew.  He called people by name, not just his disciples, but people like Levi the son of Alphaeus—the tax collector. He frequently ate with friends in their homes. He enjoyed nature and those familiar places where he could be himself, rest, and be refreshed. In Mark 16:7, after the crucifixion, the Mary’s are told to tell the disciples that Jesus is going to Galilee, that they will see him there. He was going home—home where his ministry started, home where he had family, neighbors, and friends, and the special place where they would meet again.

 

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for home—not just our family, but our neighbors, friends, community, and especially our church. Thank you for people who know us by name and care about us. Thank you for our church where we are always welcome and loved. Amen.

 

Nancy Hall