Jeremiah 48-49
Hebrews 7
“Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon.” Matthew 15:21
Jesus retreated to the region of Tyre and Sidon after His heated exchange with the Pharisees on the true understanding of the purity laws. But why, of all places, did Jesus choose to go to Tyre and Sidon? The cities were located on the east coast of the Mediterranean. In order for Jesus to get there, He would have to head north through the Jordan Valley, which was actually a swamp, and then cut and climb through a mountain range to get to Tyre. This 45-mile journey would have taken Him at least three days.
In the Old Testament, Tyre and Sidon were territories given to Israel, but Israel never conquered them. At best, there were short-lived alliances during the reigns of David and Solomon with Hiram, king of Tyre, who would send cedar to build the Temple and the royal palace. Tyre and Sidon were also historical centres of Baal worship, so cedar was not the only thing they exported; they also exported Baal worship. Altogether, Tyre and Sidon were Gentile territory that had a stronghold of idolatry and demonic forces.
After arriving in Tyre and Sidon, “[Jesus] entered a house and did not want anyone to know it; yet He could not keep His presence secret” (Mark 7:24). Then, a Canaanite woman from the vicinity came. In the past, the Canaanites opposed Israel and their idolatry was a constant threat and temptation to Israel; God also told Israel to have nothing to do with the Canaanites.
This Canaanite woman had a daughter who was possessed by an unclean spirit and suffering terribly. She probably heard about this Galilean named Jesus performing miracles of healing and teaching about the kingdom of God. It would have been an impossible trip for this woman and her daughter to travel and meet Jesus, but she learned that one day Jesus had come to where she lived. Going against all cultural expectations, she went before Jesus and begged Him to save her daughter. She believed that Jesus had the power to heal her daughter, the question she wondered was whether He would be willing and show mercy to a Gentile?
Returning to the original question of why Jesus went to Tyre and Sidon, He went there for this woman and her daughter. No matter where we are, Jesus is willing to go to where we are and draw us to Him. Jesus not only made the difficult journey to Tyre and Sidon, but also from heaven to earth to seek and save the lost—He came for you and me.
Dear Jesus, no words can express the gratitude I have that You would make the difficult journey from heaven to earth to save me. Thank You, Lord.
Hebrews 7
“Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon.” Matthew 15:21
Jesus retreated to the region of Tyre and Sidon after His heated exchange with the Pharisees on the true understanding of the purity laws. But why, of all places, did Jesus choose to go to Tyre and Sidon? The cities were located on the east coast of the Mediterranean. In order for Jesus to get there, He would have to head north through the Jordan Valley, which was actually a swamp, and then cut and climb through a mountain range to get to Tyre. This 45-mile journey would have taken Him at least three days.
In the Old Testament, Tyre and Sidon were territories given to Israel, but Israel never conquered them. At best, there were short-lived alliances during the reigns of David and Solomon with Hiram, king of Tyre, who would send cedar to build the Temple and the royal palace. Tyre and Sidon were also historical centres of Baal worship, so cedar was not the only thing they exported; they also exported Baal worship. Altogether, Tyre and Sidon were Gentile territory that had a stronghold of idolatry and demonic forces.
After arriving in Tyre and Sidon, “[Jesus] entered a house and did not want anyone to know it; yet He could not keep His presence secret” (Mark 7:24). Then, a Canaanite woman from the vicinity came. In the past, the Canaanites opposed Israel and their idolatry was a constant threat and temptation to Israel; God also told Israel to have nothing to do with the Canaanites.
This Canaanite woman had a daughter who was possessed by an unclean spirit and suffering terribly. She probably heard about this Galilean named Jesus performing miracles of healing and teaching about the kingdom of God. It would have been an impossible trip for this woman and her daughter to travel and meet Jesus, but she learned that one day Jesus had come to where she lived. Going against all cultural expectations, she went before Jesus and begged Him to save her daughter. She believed that Jesus had the power to heal her daughter, the question she wondered was whether He would be willing and show mercy to a Gentile?
Returning to the original question of why Jesus went to Tyre and Sidon, He went there for this woman and her daughter. No matter where we are, Jesus is willing to go to where we are and draw us to Him. Jesus not only made the difficult journey to Tyre and Sidon, but also from heaven to earth to seek and save the lost—He came for you and me.
Dear Jesus, no words can express the gratitude I have that You would make the difficult journey from heaven to earth to save me. Thank You, Lord.
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