The Lost Sheep of Israel

The first stop the second day in Galilee was also my favorite. First century Scytopolis (Old Testament Beth Shean) was probably one of my favorite sights we visited thus far. As I think about it, there have been a lot of really cool sights. This was different in a way from the others though. All the places Herod built (Masada, Caesarea, Herodium) were all pretty gross, but Scytopolis seemed more put together. It was Roman to the core, and there were a lot of remains left. It seemed like more of a Roman city than what I have seen yet.

The significance of this sight for me has to do with Jesus’ ministry. You are probably unfamiliar with the name, because it is never mentioned in the New Testament. Weird, because this was one of the Decapolis cities. Not only was it a huge, booming city; but anytime Jesus traveled to Jerusalem from the Galilee, he would pass through this sight. Anytime Jesus went south from Capernaum in the Galilee, where he did most of his ministry, he would go through Scytopolis. Moreover, there are routes that the Gospel writers include that Jesus must have passed through Scytopolis; however, it is found nowhere. As this question was raised, “why the heck is that?”- such an evident omission, I enjoyed the answer.

Jesus’ ministry was mainly for the “lost sheep of Israel.” Most all of Jesus’ ministry was directed towards the Jews and calling them back to God. “These twelve Jesus sent out, instructing them, “Go nowhere among the Gentiles and enter no town of the Samaritans, but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Matthew 10.5-6). He even seems like a jerk in a dialogue in Matthew 15. “He answered “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.” And he answered, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” (24-25). In the next verse, Jesus seemed to only be testing her faith, and saw that it was great and healed to. More than that, I think Jesus was not probing, so that he would know. He already did know. It was to prove to her that she had faith and believed. The same could go for Abraham and the sacrifice of Isaac. But that’s another post- it’s clearly evident that Jesus’ ministry was directed towards Jews. When Greeks came to his disciples asking for him, he responded, “And Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him” (John 12.23-26). Jesus had a mission. It was not for the Gentiles-yet. Jesus ministry was filled with purpose and intent. He went a place, he healed a person, and moved on. At times, many people came to him to be made well, but he didn’t stay. His mission was the cross. That’s why he came into the world- to die and bear fruit so that you and me could enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.

Praising God for Jesus’ purpose and mission,
Sos