Luke 4:31–37. Most of those living in Capernaum were Jews, and they worked as fishermen and farmers, potters and traders, along with various officials – including the tax collectors. There was a small Roman garrison stationed there, who almost certainly enjoyed far better living conditions than those endured by the locals. There was a bathhouse – a Roman one, of course, and there was a synagogue.

In Capernaum, they were astonished at the teachings of Jesus because they heard in his words an authority – presumably quite unlike anything they had heard before. Luke then goes on to record a miracle. It’s the first miracle recorded by Luke, although it seems to be clear from what he has already told us that this was not the first miracle that Jesus performed. It is quite remarkable in a number of ways.

The people saw and heard the authority of Jesus as he taught – he spoke with authority – not like the religious experts of his day! When we read the teachings of Jesus – they make sense to us – we know they are true. They resonate within us. Even today we hear him speak with authority.

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