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By Mike Caton

John 6:59, “He said this while teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum.”

Why did Matthew, inspired by God to write, put this verse in his book? What is significant about the fact that Jesus taught these things in the synagogue? I am certainly not pretending to know everything about God, but let’s think about this for a few minutes. This conversation took place after Jesus had fed the 5,000. He sent his disciples on across the lake while he dismissed the crowd. Then he slipped away, walking on the water, to his disciples. The next morning, the crowds couldn’t find Jesus, so they too crossed the lake, to Capernaum, where they continued to search for them. And they found him in the synagogue.

If people were to be looking for you, where would they most likely find you? The synagogues were developed during the time between the testaments, when the Jews were in exile. The temple had been destroyed, folks were scattered many miles from their homeland, and the synagogues came into being as a kind of substitute for the temple. The Jewish people would gather there for teaching, prayer, and fellowship. Eventually these became the hub of the Jewish communities. Schools were established there for the children, to teach them about God. And something was pretty much going on there every day. And this is where the crowds found Jesus.

Again, where can you most likely be found? Most of us would probably say at work, since we spend so much of our time there. But how much time do you spend with God’s people? How much time do you spend studying God’s word, praying, fellowshipping with God’s people? I know we can’t simply camp out in the church building, but this not about a building so much as a lifestyle? Will someone searching for us find us where God’s people are, about God’s business? Kinda makes you think, doesn’t it?

Father, help me be found with your people. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Mike Caton is the preacher at Mount Olive Church of Christ in Belhaven. He volunteers at the Ponzer Fire Department and works part time with Hyde County EMS. If you would like to receive daily devotions in your inbox, email mikecaton@centurylink.net.

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