Lessons from the Decapolis Tour 

In August, 29 CE, Jesus called for his apostles and disciples to meet at Magadan Park on the northeastern shore of the Sea of Galilee to arrange a preaching tour of the nearby Decapolis region. He divided them into twelve groups and sent them to Gerasa, Gamala, Hippos, Zaphon, Gadara, Abila, Edrei, Philadelphia, Heshbon, Dium, Scythopolis, and other cities of the Greek-speaking gentile region.

This tour lasted four weeks, during which Jesus, certain disciples, and the women’s corps maintained a basecamp at Magadan Park. From there, Jesus went out to visit the preaching groups and gave lessons on various topics. At one location, he talked about forgiveness; at another, he spoke about who should be allowed to teach in his name. At other towns, he discussed what to teach new believers, how to know the truth about scripture, and the positive nature of his religion. This tour ended in mid-September.

During Jesus’ final visit to the Decapolis, hundreds of souls were received into the kingdom and the apostles and evangelists gained valuable experience in carrying on their work without the inspiration of the immediate personal presence of Jesus. The conclusion of this tour initiated the final eight months of Jesus' ministry, culminating in his journey to Jerusalem and death on the cross during Passover.

Jesus sent word to his devoted followers to gather at Magadan Park on the northeast shore of the Sea of Galilee on Thursday, August 18, 29 CE. He and his apostles had traveled to this campsite by boat the evening before. The next morning, a group of almost one hundred evangelists and disciples, including the women’s corps, were present and ready to hear why the Master had invited them to this place.

Jesus stood before this assembly and gave instructions, saying that each of the apostles should associate himself with one of the evangelists. He directed the remaining evangelists to join these twelve pairs, and that the twelve groups go separately into the cities and villages of the Decapolis preaching and teaching. Jesus asked the women’s corps and disciples to remain with him at the camp. He allotted four weeks to this tour, instructing the groups to return to Magadan no later than September 16. And he promised to visit them during this time.

During Jesus' ministry in Decapolis, specifically in Hippos, he imparted profound teachings on forgiveness, emphasizing the joy in heaven over one sinner who repents over ninety-nine righteous individuals. He illustrated this through the parable of the lost sheep, underscoring the proactive nature of divine forgiveness – wherein the Father actively seeks out those lost in sin before they begin to seek repentance themselves. When Peter asked how many times he should forgive, Jesus answered: "Not only seven times but even to seventy times and seven." This parable highlights God's unconditional love and forgiveness and also sets an example for human behavior, urging individuals to actively and patiently address transgressions among each other, fostering a community spirit that prioritizes reconciliation over punishment.

In his dialogues, particularly with his apostles, Jesus further explored the principles of community and leadership within their group. He emphasized the importance of group consensus in decision-making processes, cautioning against the personal judgment that can be clouded by bias and emotion. By delegating specific roles among the apostles for maintaining the temporal and spiritual welfare of the community, he demonstrated an organized approach to communal living that balances spiritual aspirations with practical needs, ensuring that all members could dedicate themselves fully to the mission without personal encumbrances.

Jesus' teachings also extended to the broader implications of preaching and practicing the gospel, as he instructed on the correct approach to spreading his teachings. Emphasizing respect for individual personality and free will, he advised against the use of force or emotional manipulation in religious teaching, instead advocating for appeals made directly to the divine spirit within each individual. This approach respects personal dignity and promotes genuine spiritual growth over coerced conversions, highlighting the nuanced understanding of human nature that Jesus promoted.

The encounter with John Zebedee at Gamala provides a critical lesson on tolerance and the expansive nature of Jesus' message. When John expressed concern about someone preaching in Jesus' name without being part of their immediate group, Jesus corrected him, suggesting a more inclusive view that welcomes all who work positively towards the gospel's goals. This incident underlines the importance of focusing on shared objectives rather than rigid controls over who is deemed acceptable to spread the teachings, thus encouraging a more universal and expansive spread of his message.

In Abila, Jesus and Nathaniel discussed the nature and interpretation of the Hebrew scriptures. Jesus explained that the scriptures were not divine commands from before time but were compiled expressions of human experiences and struggles with divinity, containing both profound truths and significant misrepresentations. He emphasized that the authority of scripture comes from its spiritual insights, not its historical or scientific accuracy, and warned against interpreting them as infallible. Similarly, while in Philadelphia, James Zebedee asked how to know which scripture to believe. Jesus replied: “…when you read the Scriptures look for those eternally true and divinely beautiful teachings.”

Lastly, through his teachings on the positive nature of religion, Jesus transformed traditional passive religious observance into active and dynamic engagement with faith. He instructed his followers to not only believe in the principles of the gospel but to live them out actively, thus ensuring that their actions reflect their beliefs. This proactive stance not only facilitates personal growth and societal improvement but also ensures that the practice of faith becomes a tangible and constructive force in the world. Through these teachings during the Decapolis tour, Jesus provided a plan for living a life that is spiritually fulfilling and socially responsible, making religion a vibrant and active part of daily life.

This tour lasted four weeks and ended on Friday, September 16, 29 CE. The inhabitants of the Decapolis benefited greatly from this preaching tour and a previous one in November and December of 27 CE. The end of this tour marked the beginning of the last phase of Jesus’ ministry, the final eight months of his earthly mission. Jesus and his apostles would spend those eight months slowly making their way to Jerusalem for Passover the following April which would end with Jesus' death on the cross.