December 18 - Decapolis

-
Early in Jesus’ ministry, Matthew tells us that people from Decapolis followed Him (Matthew 4:25). Throughout His ministry, Jesus visited the region of the Decapolis numerous times and performed life-changing miracles (Mark 5:1-20, Matthew 8:28-34, Luke 8:26–39, Matthew 9:27–34, Mark 7:31-37). But what’s the big deal? After all, Jesus did miracles everywhere He went.

The big deal is found in the people there. The Decapolis (meaning “Ten-Cities") was Hellenistic, not Judean. It was composed of mostly Gentiles. Yet, Jesus intentionally went there to reach the Gentiles, just as He did in going through Samaria to reach the Samaritans. In Mark 7, Jesus had just delivered a Gentile woman’s daughter before heading to the Decapolis, where He would heal again.

The Jewish Messiah is not just for the Jewish people. He is for everyone.

As we celebrate the incarnation of Christ, we celebrate God’s love for Jews and Gentiles alike. We celebrate that God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son… for you, me, and every human being for all time.

Pastor Mark Schwarzbauer, PhD
Family Worship Center - Sturgeon Bay



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

December 23 - Emmaus

-
Image
“Did not our heart burn within us, while He talked with us by the way, and while He opened to us the Scriptures?” - Luke 24:32 (KJV) Luke tells the story of two disciples walking home to Emmaus after the Passover. The day is light, but a darkness of despair is over them. They talk of the trial and the crucifixion of Jesus. Soon they are joined by a Stranger, but in their disappointment they don’t recognize him. As they walk, the Stranger reveals from scripture what Christ was to be in humanity. The Messiah was not to take His throne in accordance with the desires of men. His words brought comfort and understanding. They began to feel hope as the Stranger was opening their minds that they might understand the Scriptures. As the sun sets they arrive home but still hunger to hear more from Him. “Abide with us,” they said and He “went in to tarry with them.” A meal is prepared and as He blesses and breaks the bread their eyes are opened and they knew him and he vanishes. It is the Lord Jes...
Read more

December 4 - Egypt

-
Image
Matthew 2:14–15: And [Joseph] rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed to Egypt and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, “Out of Egypt I called my son.” (ESV) The Way of the Manger is a road that follows the course of Israel’s history. Israel goes down to Egypt in a time of danger – famine. Jesus goes down to Egypt in a time of danger – Herod’s jealousy. Israel was led out of Egypt by God. God would lead Jesus out of Egypt when the time was right, as well. This is our story, too. We sinners are where we do not belong on account of our sin. That’s not Egypt, but a kingdom far more dark. That kingdom is the kingdom of death and the devil. Jesus followed us there. Through the manger, He became subject to the consequences of sin, even though He did not sin. He was persecuted by Satan and died on the Cross. But, the Father called him up from that realm in His Resurrection. We who are baptized and believe ha...
Read more

December 3 - Judean Wilderness

-
Image
Matthew 3:1-6 For we moderns, the wilderness holds some kind of romance; it’s the place we escape to, the place where we can let go of all the frenzy of full lives and find a little peace and quiet. Not so for the ancients. The wilderness was a place of danger. No telling what fierce animal or ruthless bandit was waiting around the next corner. Yet, against all reason, the wilderness was a place where God got God’s work done. The Children of Israel wandered in the wilderness for 40 years, the school where God created and formed a people. John the Baptist called Judeans into the wilderness to prepare the way for the coming Messiah. Jesus began his ministry in the wilderness, going down into the baptismal waters of the Jordan, then confronting Evil in his 40-day wilderness testing. Finally, he would end his life in the wilderness of Golgotha, dying a cruel death, abandoned by his friends, giving his life so that we might know the Eden of God’s love and grace. As you enter this holy seaso...
Read more