When we use the word ‘hub’ today, we think of a place of art, business, finance, and entertainment. It is a multicultural epicentre—a place of diversity and change, filled with multiple voices, traditions, and a window to the wider world.
In Jesus’ day, Capernaum was exactly that: a bustling hub of activity. Located on the northwest shore of the Sea of Galilee. Capernaum acted as a bridge connecting Egypt to the nations of the north and east. This meant a constant stream of merchants and travellers passed straight through the town.
All four Gospels mention Capernaum, not just as a location on a map, but as the centre of Jesus’ mission:
Mark chapter 1: “They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach.”
Luke chapter 4: “Jesus went down to Capernaum, a town in Galilee, and on the Sabbath he taught the people.”
John 2:12: “He went down to Capernaum with his mother and brothers and his disciples. There they stayed for a few days.”
Capernaum is described as the place where Jesus begins his public teaching and performs his first miracles. In John, it is shown that for Jesus and his team, Capernaum wasn’t just a stopover. It was their mission base.
And finally, Matthew’s gospel this morning: “When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he went to Galilee. He did not stay in Nazareth, but went to live in Capernaum, a town by Lake Galilee in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali.”
To give you some background, Zebulun and Naphtali were two of the original twelve tribes of Israel. Originally, the people there were of pure Israelite descent. However, these areas were conquered by Assyria in the 8th century BC and repopulated by foreigners. As a result, the distinct Jewish tribes of Zebulun and Naphtali eventually disappeared.
That was Capernaum. At one time, it was a traditional Jewish town, but over the years, it became a mix of foreign languages, cultures, and religions. Because of this, many Jews in Jesus’ time looked down on the residents of Capernaum, regarding the town as an ‘ugly duckling.’
Yet, there is a strange paradox here: the Bible tells us that Jesus didn’t choose to stay in his hometown of Nazareth. Instead, he chose to live in Capernaum. While his family’s home base was in Nazareth, Jesus moved to Capernaum the moment he began his ministry. It is a critically important fact: Jesus grew up in Nazareth with his parents, but he lived his adult life in Capernaum.
Then, why Capernaum? I mean, what made Capernaum matter to Jesus, this is an important question because that will help us understand why Gungahlin matters to us today.
In short, Capernaum wasn’t just a quiet village; it was a “world stage” where local industry met international trade. It was the perfect place for a message to spread quickly to different nations. Because of this, Jesus didn’t have to travel the world to reach people; the world came to him. He spoke to a multicultural mix of government officials, merchants, and foreign travellers.
Gungahlin is a modern-day Capernaum.
I believe that Capernaum was very much like Gungahlin today—a vibrant multicultural hub where the world meets in one place.
Just as Gungahlin is the gateway for the northern suburbs, Capernaum was a major “Town Centre.” Much like Gungahlin—where 70% of residents were born overseas—Capernaum was filled with people from everywhere. You could walk those streets and hear a dozen different languages. It was a high-traffic “toll zone” where Romans collected taxes, much like the busy commercial activity we see in our own Town Centre today.
For Jesus, choosing Capernaum was a strategic move. By starting his work in a place as diverse and connected as Gungahlin, he made sure that his message would be carried to every corner of the globe by the people passing through.
This was no accident. This was part of God’s plan. Capernaum was a ‘central hub’ where many Gentiles lived—people who had likely never heard of the Messiah. In God’s eyes, Capernaum was like a lost sheep. It was no coincidence that God sent Christ specifically to this mission field. It’s like choosing the best marketplace to set up a shop; you go where the crowds are.
Now, think about us. Think about where we are. I truly believe Gungahlin is the Capernaum of our time.
Jesus intentionally chose Capernaum as his first mission field. It was there that he called his twelve disciples, trained them, and led them through the region to search for the “lost sheep.” This was not a random choice at all; it was a carefully planned mission.
But I want to ask you a basic, essential question: How did he actually do it? What did Jesus do with those ordinary fishermen and farmers to get them started?
We find the answer in the words Jesus spoke to Simon Peter and Andrew: “Follow me, and I will teach you to catch people.”
When Jesus first called them, they were busy catching fish. And Jesus spent the next three years teaching them exactly how to do that. Over those three years, their work was transformed: they went from the job of catching fish to the ministry of catching people.
No one can deny that Gungahlin Uniting Church now finds itself in a hub. We are in a place of diversity, multiple voices, and multicultural traditions. It is no wonder it is called ‘Town Centre.’
None of this is a coincidence; it is all part of God’s design. We have quite a few new members joining us recently. I may not know exactly how you ended up here, but I do know it is part of God’s plan. He was already working in your life long before you arrived.
Out there, God is seeking the lost sheep through you. This is where people living in darkness will see a great light—through you and through this church.
Never forget: the primary purpose of your Christian journey on this earth is to catch people for Christ. It doesn’t matter what your profession is, whether you are retired, or how long you have been a believer.
Catching people is your mission. Catching people for Chris is your life.
About 20 years ago, while I was serving at a Uniting Church in Sydney, the gym was my second home. And that’s where I met two very different men who made a lasting impression on me.
One was a massive Tongan man, standing about 190 cm tall—he reminded me of Arnold Schwarzenegger. The other was a man from Iran who had grown up in a Muslim household.
Over time, the man from Iran and I became close friends and workout partners. We’d sometimes grab coffee after our sessions, and he often opened up to me about how difficult it was to adjust to life in Australia.
He affectionately called me ‘Father” like a priest. One day, after a particularly good workout, he turned to me and asked, “Father, can I ask you for a favour?”
“Of course,” I replied. “What is it?” “Could you pray for me?”
I felt a little awkward praying in the middle of a gym, but I went ahead and did it. As soon as I whispered “Amen,” I heard a deep, booming voice behind me echo, “Amen.” It felt like coming from heaven or something.
I turned around to find the giant Tongan man standing there with a warm smile on his face. The three of us ended up having a wonderful conversation about faith and Christianity right there in the gym.
It taught me an important lesson: not everyone is ready to hear your sharing, and that’s okay. Our job isn’t to “catch” everyone we meet. We are looking for those whose hearts are already open and ready to respond.
Invite them. Make friends with them. Help them in any way you can. Whether you are sharing a coffee, a meal, or a moment of sadness—simply love them.
This kind of kindness is never ‘just’ a nice gesture. When we offer pure, unconditional friendship and love to our neighbours, we are showing them a glimpse of God’s own heart. People today are often weary and guarded, but genuine love breaks down walls.
When they see your care for them has no hidden agenda, they will eventually ask what makes you different.
Your kindness becomes a bridge leading them right to Christ. Your small light will lead them to experience the fullness of God’s light. By being a true friend, you are not just telling them about the Gospel; you are letting them taste the warmth of Jesus before they even hear his name. You are preparing the soil so that when the seed of the Word is planted, it finds a heart already softened by love. This is how we catch people. This is how we lead them to Christ. This is your life’s work and your calling. Amen.
