Settling in

“Leaving Nazareth, [Jesus] went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake area of Zebulun and Naphtali—to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah:

‘Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way to the sea, along the
Jordan,Galilee of the Gentiles—the people living in darkness have seen a great
light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned’”
(Matthew 4:13-16).

Moving stinks! I can see why people tend to stay settled in one place. As Renal and I prepare to move to Louisville, I am up to my neck in boxes, phone calls to utility companies and rental trucks. People keep asking me if I am excited about the move. Excited about moving? No, I’m not, but I am excited about the ministry that will happen after the move. Sometimes a change in ministry requires a change in location.

Jesus moved, did you know that? One small phrase jumps out at me as we relocate from Illinois to Louisville: He went and lived in Capernaum. “Lived” is a small word and not even the main point in the passage, but it looms large for me. The word lived has the sense of taking up a residence and settling in. It makes me wonder what was involved in Jesus’ move from Nazareth to Capernaum:

  • Did He have to move Mary and his kid brothers and sisters with Him? (see Matt. 13:55-56);
  • What kind of house did He settle into? Was it a “fixer-upper”? (At least He had mad carpentry skills);
  • Did He know anyone in Capernaum or did He need to build new relationships?

I don’t know, because it’s not the main point of the passage. Yet, as I reflect on making disciples and launching a new ministry in Louisville, I keep coming back to the question: How did Jesus do it?

If I am to follow in the footsteps of the Master, the first thing that we will need to do is settle. I’ll be looking for new coffee shops to hang out in (this is my 3rd space) and a new Jiu-Jitsu academy to choke people in as we settle into a dog-friendly apartment complex. Since Jesus’ approach to ministry was relational, we’ll be relational and invite people into our homes. Did you know that Jesus had people over into His home?  It’s true, just read John 1:38-39.

Stay Tuned for more updates and keep us in prayer:

  • Please pray that God will move Renal’s start date up at work;
  • Please pray that God would provide a smooth closing for our home in Illinois;
  • Please pray that God would show where He is already at work in the lives of the people we meet so that we can make disciples.