WHAT SIGNIFICANCE FOR US TODAY?

Capernaum no longer exists as a city. Its ruins stretch out for about a mile along the northern coast of the Sea of Galilee. Interestingly, one of the finest synagogue ruins yet discovered has been excavated there. Although it dates from the second or third century, it is suggested that it may have been built on the site of an earlier synagogue in which Jesus himself preached. So, then, these ruins are a reminder of Jesus’ many miracles in “his own city.”

It is true that the healings and resurrection that Jesus performed in Capernaum were only of temporary benefit, since eventually those people again got sick and died. Yet Jesus proved something​—he proved that health and even life itself can be restored. Thus we have certain basis for believing that what Jesus did on a small scale he can do on a global scale now that he has been resurrected and is installed as God’s heavenly king. But will he really use his power in this way?

We have Jesus’ own promise. He said: “The hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out.” (John 5:28, 29) Do you believe this? If so, do not be like those residents of Capernaum who saw but refused to become Jesus’ followers. May you, rather, on the basis of your belief, be motivated from an appreciative heart to love and serve Jesus and his heavenly Father.​—Matt. 11:23, 24.

Graduates of Gilead’s 59th Class Urged to Stick to the Work

SEPTEMBER 7, 1975, was graduation day for the students of Gilead’s 59th class. They had successfully completed an intensive five-month course, designed to equip them for missionary work. During the morning program held at the Assembly Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Queens, New York, speakers emphasized the importance of a fine relationship with God and the need for the graduates to stick to their missionary assignments.

U. V. Glass reminded the graduates that they are “sheep” of Jehovah God under the loving care of Jesus Christ. Using Psalm 23, he explained that its beautiful description of God’s shepherding finds a basis in the actual experience of sheep and shepherds.

E. A. Dunlap stressed that success will not lie in the missionaries’ own strength or ability but in ‘accepting the undeserved kindness of God and not missing its purpose.’ (2 Cor. 6:1) He encouraged them to remember that their purpose is to carry God’s name to the people in their assignment. By sticking to that purpose, as did Joshua of old, even when faced with opposition, the graduates could be certain of success.​—Josh. 1:2, 3; 21:45.

Illustrating the value of continuing in one’s assignment, M. G. Henschel related the following experience: A musician began to think seriously about the purpose of his being alive and prayed to God. He remembered a missionary who had called on him fifteen years earlier. He began looking for her and, since she was still in her assignment, was able to locate her, identifying her on the street. As a result, one of the man’s sons has already become a dedicated servant of Jehovah and other members of the family are making progress toward this end. What a fine blessing this missionary experienced because of having remained in her assignment!

In his comments, M. H. Larson showed that the graduates possessed lifesaving spiritual food and should, therefore, be willing to weather stormlike problems to help people. He counseled them to be like the Hebrew prophet Habakkuk, who said: “At my guard post I will keep standing, and I will keep myself stationed upon the bulwark; and I shall keep watch.”​—Hab. 2:1.

Among other things, G. M. Couch directed attention to the example of Jesus Christ, who left behind his heavenly home to minister to sinful humans. Yet Jesus Christ was happy. Why? Because he understood the importance of his assignment and saw good in people. By