“And they were astonished beyond measure, saying, ‘He has done all things well. He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.’” – Mark 7:37
Visiting a predominantly Gentile region, Jesus performed miracles unlike anything they imagined possible. There were no words to describe their astonishment – it was beyond measure! These were not “the people of God” and would have had little familiarity with the Jewish Scriptures, yet their words of amazement unconsciously echo the prophecy of Isaiah 35.
What they saw in their midst and described with their words was the unique activity of the long-expected Messiah. By performing this miracle in their midst Jesus, the Messiah (or Christ), was making clear that He wasn’t merely a Messiah for the Jewish people. Jesus came for the Gentiles as well.
Jesus came to seek and to save the lost among all peoples – Jew and Gentile alike, every nation, every race, every language. This is an extraordinary truth: the people of God are no longer defined by ethnic heritage or nationality but by faith in Jesus alone.
This is truly good news in our multi-ethnic, multi-cultural, multi-national community, because Jesus came to be their Messiah as well. However, they need to know about Him so they can believe in Him. We can’t assume they know, because they don’t. We must be willing and eager to cross the street to share this good news with our neighbors from every part of the earth, because Jesus came to be their Lord, Savior, and Messiah too!