DECAPOLIS

Florence, Muscle Shoals, Sheffield, and Tuscumbia make up what we often refer to as quad-cities.  Each one of these towns has a connection to the Tennessee River region of Northwest Alabama.  Like you, I am thankful to live in this beautiful part of the state of Alabama.  In the book of Mark, we read of Jesus entering a place that was known for ten cities. Here is Mark’s account of the end of this story.

18 “And when He got into the boat, he who had been demon-possessed begged Him that he might be with Him. 19 However, Jesus did not permit him, but said to him, “Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you.” 20 And he departed and began to proclaim in Decapolis all that Jesus had done for him; and all marveled.”

Decapolis, a region of 10 cities, was a lavish area of that day. Today, you would find those cities in Jordan, Syria and Israel. You’ve probably heard of places today like Amman and Damascus, those were two of the cities within the ten cities conglomerate.  Decapolis was mainly made up of gentile people, who spoke the Greek language.  They were well educated, culturally rich and diverse people. Most of them would be referred to as Hellenistic people which point to their Greek heritage and culture. It was a major trade route location, with much influence and a melting pot of people which made the location diverse.

So, when Jesus healed this man of demon-possession, Jesus hurled the demons into the swine and the pigs leaped off a cliff and into the sea and drowned. This tortured man was set free. After Jesus performed this miracle, it says that the crowds pleaded with Jesus to leave the region.  They had never seen such power and it scared them to the point they didn’t know what to think of Jesus. Again, we are speaking of a region that is not necessarily the most religious place you would find.  Though the crowds wanted to get rid of Jesus, this man wanted to join Jesus!

Jesus told him, you can’t go with me, but you can go back to Decapolis and tell them what the Lord has done for you.  And we find that he did just that and his story made the people of Decapolis marvel.  It took amazing courage for this man to go back to his own town and tell his story… but he did. Remember Decapolis, located on the eastern side of the Sea of Galilee, is filled with people from all over.  When Jesus performed miracles in this region it allowed the Gospel to spread at a faster pace to many more regions. Jesus strategically spent time here to show His power but to spread the Gospel at a faster pace throughout the world. Decapolis was a trading hub of many nationalities.  What a perfect place to bring the Good News of Jesus to than a highly traveled area called Decapolis.
 
Today, your story matters. It matters here in Florence and to whoever God places in your path. For me, I’ve shared the Gospel with people from numerous states that have entered our city.  I’ve told the Good News to people from around the world who I’ve encountered right here in Florence.   Your story matters because today you have a larger pool of people to reach.  May I encourage you, go into your city, your region, and tell how Jesus has changed your life! You never know where your story of Jesus may spread throughout the world!