If you follow the geographical descriptions in the Gospel lection for Sunday (Mar 7:24-37), this would be an appropriate question. Even before you get to what Jesus says and does, the fact that he was in the vicinity of Tyre and then in the region of the Decapolis raises questions about Jesus’ taste in destinations. Though Tyre is noted for the trees it supplied for the construction of the Jewish temple, it is most noted for in the prophetic books as a city of evil and oppression. Remember, it also was the home of Jezebel, who reigned with Ahab, and was depicted as an archetype of evil and idolatry.
The Decapolis wasn’t much better. Established after Alexander the Great’s conquest of Syria by both the Ptolemaic and Seleucid dynasties, it was a confederation of 10 cities which were Hellenistic at their core. The cities and the surrounding area were excluded from Jewish territory. Given that they oriented to the Greco-Roman pantheon and norms, they were considered at best pagan and at worst enemies of true faith.
So … What’s a nice guy like Jesus doing a place like that?
Although Jesus doesn’t appear to be on a preaching tour, according to Mark, neither does he eschew these Gentile places. In fact, we are told that Jesus brings the power of healing to individuals in these foreign lands, a sign of the in-breaking of the Kingdom of God. In the narrative that follows these miracles, Jesus feeds the 4,000. While the feeding of the 5,000 occurs in Jewish territory, the feeding of the 4,000 happens in Gentile territory. Both stories include a symbolic number of left-overs signifying that God’s grace is not merely sufficient but more than abundant.
So … What’s a nice guy like Jesus doing a place like that?
Actually, the gospel record exposes that there is a problem with the question. “A place like that” presumes that the area is somehow devoid of anything good, worthy or even consideration. Rather than demean such places, Jesus embraces them with his grace. He discovers persons who are more than willing to accept his presence and trust the gospel he brings. What we discover is that God’s love is present in all places, at all times and in all situations.
So … why are we not in places like that?
That’s the real question. Whatever “place” is demeaned with the qualifier “like that,” the church should be running toward. Whenever we make distinctions about where we go and with whom we interact, we are living outside the example Jesus sets before us. There are no places and there are no people who are not deserving of the attention, compassion, justice and mercy that God envisions. The “places” we are called to go may be differentiated by geographical location, ethnicity, social status, economic indicators, educational access or any other human construct. No “place” is beyond God’s care and thus no “place” is beyond the purview of the mission and ministry of Christ’s church.
May God guide each of you to a new place, where you can encounter people ready to receive the gift of Christ’s presence and receive Christ’s blessings.
If you would like to view past editions of Moments with Mike, follow this link: https://corridordistrictnc.org/category/from-the-ds/