The Life Giver
Last week we saw our Lord use the phrase, “Be still.” It was used in context with nature obeying his vocal command. The scene following his Sea of Galilee tempestuous state lands us in the Gerasenes. Geographically, the area of the Decapolis was not an area frequently visited by Jesus. Why? He said his main or primary mission was to the lost sheep of Israel.
Gerasa; Gerasenes: This city or area is located on the eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee. Gerasa is in ruins but was located in the area of the Decapolis. The area is on a cliff-like area and also mentioned with the destruction of swine.
The Decapolis
What is the Decapolis? Obviously, the name implies something related to 10. The names given by Pliny (NH, v.18) are Scythopolis (Beisan), Hippos (Susiyeh), Gadara (Umm Qeis), Pella (Fahil), Philadelphia (`Amman), Gerasa (Jerash), Dion (Adun?), Canatha (Qanawat), Damascus and Raphana.
Read Mark 5:1-20
- We see a man that was totally consumed by evil spirits and was confined to an area called the tombs. No one could contain him even in chains. What did the man do in front of Jesus?
- Who was speaking? The man the evil spirits?
- A legion is an indefinite large number used in Scripture. A command to send the spirits into the herd of pigs might suggest what? (Another meaning related to the Roman army that contained 6,000 infantry and cavalry).
- The herd of pigs numbered about 2,000. That’s a lot of pork chops! The owners were not pleased and suggested that Jesus leave the area. But the man who had been possessed begged to go with Jesus as he entered the boat to leave the area. What was Jesus’ command to the man? And why is his command important to you and me?
Jesus had impressed the people of the Decapolis by the removal of the legion of demons from a man who became an emissary of our Lord to the Gentile regions. He landed on the other side of the Lake or Sea. Chapter 5 continues to show our Lord’s compassion.
What we see here is one of the “Big 3” raising of the dead of Jesus (other than himself). Can you name the other two? Jairus was a leader of the synagogue in Capernaum. So now Jesus is back on the “right side” (Jewish side) of the Sea of Galilee but is his ministry any different? Let’s see.
Read Mark 5:21-43
- Now Jesus is addressing the needs of His Jewish people. Jairus has pleaded that Jesus would come and “put His hands on her.” How did Jesus respond?
- While traveling to Jairus’ home, we are told of something new. A woman who has been afflicted with a bleeding disorder for years followed and had a plan in mind. What was it? How did Jesus react?
- Jesus responded, “Who touched me?” When did Jesus touch you? Were you healed too?
- After this great intermediate event, the news came that Jairus’ daughter was now dead. How did Jesus react to the news?
The next 5 words should be a big statement to Christians today and to you and me here in this study: DON’T BE AFRAID. . . JUST BELIEVE.
As Jesus and His close disciples followed to the leader’s home the people were crying and wailing. “The child is not dead but asleep,” said Jesus.
Chapter 15 of Paul’s first letter to the church at Corinth brings it all home! Go to 1 Corinthians 15. The lawyer-trained Pharisee, Paul, begins by first saying that Christ died! If that tenet were not true everything else is false or in vain. What would have happened if Christ had not died? (See verses 14 and 17). St. Paul then refers to those who have died in faith as FALLEN ASLEEP IN CHRIST. To the unbeliever death is permanent, but to the Christian, sleep is temporary awaiting the final call of our LORD to call us to be with him eternally.
Let’s recite one of the most beautiful parts of chapter 15 together: (verses 55-57)
“Where, O death is your victory?
Where, O death is your sting?
The sting of death is sin, and
The power of sin is the law.
But thanks be to God!
He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
While the little 12-year-old girl followed Jesus’ command to get up, the real story is Jesus’ command over eternal death and life to all those who believe. This intermediate raising from the dead gives us hope that His eventual resurrection bridges the gap so that we have a road that leads to our eternal rest.
May the God of peace who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will and may he work in us what is pleasing to him through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen (Hebrews Doxology)