Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. News about him spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed; and he healed them. Large crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and the region across the Jordan followed him. Matthew 4:23-25

I never noticed this before.  As I was pondering a scripture for today’s message, I came across this interesting tidbit.  Matthew tells us how news about Jesus was spreading among the area of the Jews, and Matthew’s gospel is written to Jews, including a lot of Hebrew scriptures related to the Messiah. 

But there it is, “Large crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and the region across the Jordan followed him.”  Galilee, Jerusalem and Judea makes sense, but Matthew points out the Decapolis, a region of ten Hellenistic cities.  These Greek cities followed their own culture, more in line with Roman beliefs than that of the Hebrews.  Yet they heard the stories of Jesus and followed Him.

This is good news for us in our segmented society.  Some of us might live in completely homogenous communities, while others very diverse.  In all cases, the story of Jesus can be powerful and will be heard – as long as we tell it.

This brief scripture also reminds me that even when people are “different”, God includes them into the family.

As you journey through this week, be on the lookout for someone that might be “different” and show them some love.

Peace,

Pastor Bill