Page 74 - Advanced Life of Christ - Student Textbook

that include a Roman coliseum, a gymnasium, colonnaded streets, a 7,000 seat amphitheater,
impressive tiled rooms, paved basalt roadways, shops, multiple temples, the biggest public bathhouse in
Israel, brothels, and the largest tel with the remains of 18 cities buried in it. The glory that was once
here, both Roman and Greek, is staggering.

Hippos (“horse” in Greek) sits on a high, flat rock, shaped like a horse's back. The city is 1,148 feet above
the Sea of Galilee and surrounded by walls with two gates on the east and west side, linked by a main
paved road called the Decumanus Maximus. From this main artery, side streets lead to bathhouses,
homes, a 500-seat theater (Odeion), a church, a Roman temple (Kalybe) built over a former Greek
temple (Temenos), and a main public square in the center with collapsed columns (the Forum) by the
Basilica. The ruins revealed an extensive aqueduct system (that follows the main paved street
underground) and an intact reservoir. Apparently. her height was not only an asset for defensive
purposes, but also a problem for a fresh water supply.

Both treasured cities are “preserved” because of a massive earthquake that hit the area in 749 A.D. This
earthquake left the cities uninhabited for fear of future quakes. The results of this violent event can still
be seen today, where walls and columns lie toppled where they fell, virtually untouched (although
excavations are ongoing).

The demon-possessed man who was cured by Jesus spread the news of his healing to other cities in the
Decapolis besides Gadara. People in these Gentile cities often feared miracle workers as some sort of
magicians, but later, as Jesus traveled through the Decapolis region as recorded in Mark 7:31, Jesus did
not receive any rejection. Evidently the cured man had paved the way for a good reception of Christ
among the Gentiles.

7.4 Let’s Practice…

1. What was the purpose for Jesus doing miracles in Galilee?
2. Explain the method of Roman taxation and collection in Jesus’ day.
3. Jesus sent his disciples out in Galilee two by two and gave them power to heal the sick and
cast out demons. Why did Jesus give them this power?
4. Can a person commit the “unpardonable sin” today? Explain why or why not:

5. Why did Jesus begin to speak in parables?
6. What was the disciples’ response when Jesus calmed the sea?

7. Describe the cities of the Decapolis.

7.5 Let’s Personalize this Lesson…

Activity: Have you ever had any storms in your life? They may be a loss of job, a death in
the family, loss of personal property, health issues, etc. Life is filled with storms, isn’t it?
But we know that if Jesus Christ is with us (in our boat), we have One with us that can calm
the storm. He can bring peace in your life, if you trust him, in spite of your circumstances.
Describe a storm in your life which you watched Jesus calm.

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