April 3, 2023

Recharging for the Day Ahead

“Now when evening came, His disciples went down to the sea, and after getting into a boat, they started to cross the sea to Capernaum. It had already become dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them.” John 6:16-17 (NASB)

There is nothing more frustrating than trying to start a car and the battery is dead. Feverously, trying to start it, while praying for it to cough into life. When it’s apparent all attempts have failed, we give in and call someone. Sometimes we have the car towed. Other times we call someone who has a battery charger or to jump off our battery. It takes time out of our day though, so it adds to the stress of the day. Preparing for each day is the same. We need time to check our spiritual batteries. Otherwise, we might sit on the side of the road of life.

While Jesus left the disciples, He went to the mountain to recharge His spiritual battery. The disciples headed off to Capernaum. “Capernaum was a city on the northwest shore of the Sea of Galilee. Gospel writers refer to it as Jesus’ “own city” (Matthew 9:1) because after leaving Nazareth, He went to live in Capernaum, for at least a time (Matthew 4:13). Capernaum was a center of commerce for fishing and trade. This city was familiar to the disciples. A lot of their time was spent in this region. Jesus too, performed the following miracles in Capernaum:

•           Healed Jairus’ Daughter (Matt 9:18–26; Mark 5:21–43; Luke 8:41–56)

•           Fed 5,000 people (Likely closer to Bethsaida, John 6)

•           Caught a miraculous number of fish (John 21:4–14)

•           Healed a demon possessed man (Mark 1:21–28)

•           Healed Peter’s mother-in-law (Matt 8:14–15)

•           Healed a paralytic (Matt 9:2–8; Mark 2:1–12; Luke 5:17–20)

•           Healed the centurion’s servant (Matt 8:5–13; Luke 7:1–10)

•           Healed the woman with the issue of blood (Mark 5:21–43)

The man with the paralyzed hand was likely also healed at Capernaum (Mark 3:1–6).”[1] This area was very busy in Jesus’ ministry. It would have taxed His physical energy. Through the healings and miracles, Jesus like others needed rest. His rest though, unlike many today, was comprised by quiet time with God on the mountain or away from others. It was through prayer and petitioning God for His continuing will, now and in the future. During His time of rest, “It had already become dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them.” The disciples were without their spiritual battery which gave life to their ministry. While He recharged, Jesus knew when He would come again.  This continuing ministry would tax His energy and He knew he needed time with God to prepare for the coming events. He got prepared by spending time with His Father.

There is something to learn from the life of Jesus. Before Jesus began another ministry, He went away from people to spend time with His Father. This is a good example for us today. When we start our busy day, we need time with the Father first to charge our batteries. This involves time. Spend it well with Him. Maybe today would be a good time to start if you haven’t already. If you spend time with God daily, how good are your conversations with God? I encourage you today, pray, then spend time listening. Allow God to be a part of the conversation. Remember, it is a conversation, not a “to do” list. Talk to Him and then listen.

[1] Melton B. Winstead, “Capernaum,” ed. John D. Barry et al., The Lexham Bible Dictionary (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2016).