Among the rocky ruins of the ancient Roman city of Gerasa, built centuries ago when the legions of the Caesars occupied the eastern frontier of what is now Syria, is to be found in abundance a plant known as saxifrage. The saxifrage plant derives its name from two Latin words (saxi and frangere) which mean literally "to break rock."
Gerasa once was a flourishing, prosperous city, receiving most of its revenue from the sale of incense used by pagans in various forms of worship. As the gospel penetrated this section of the Roman empire and the worship of God displaced idol worship, the importance of Gerasa waned. Trade declined; gradually the city fell into decay.
Now, centuries later, through the rocky ruins of ancient Gerasa, the saxifrage plant, the "rock breaker," still flourishes as it pushes asunder the crumbling colannades of primitive paganism.
Such also is the power of the gospel. It is indeed a rock breaker. Hearts,apparently as unyielding as flint, have been broken by the simple story of a Saviour's love of an death for sinners.
The word gospel in the original language of the New Testament is the Greek word euaggelion, meaning literally "good news." Truly, the story of God's Son, given to a world which the prophet Isaiah describes as being covered by "gross darkness" (Isaiah 60:2), is indeed good news.
Paul declares that the gospel is far more than a mere story, much more than good news. He wrote, "I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ; for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth." Romans 1:16.
"Our Saviour Jesus Christ," Paul says, "hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel." 2 Timothy 1:10. "The wages of sin is death," he writes further; "but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 6:23. Sin says, "Die!" But through Christ we may live.
In the tropical forests of the West Indies grows the manchineel tree, bearing an apple-shaped fruit. The milky juice of this tree is very poisonous. Among these deadly trees grows a species of fig tree whose sap, if applied in time, it is claimed, will counteract the effects of the manchineel poisoning.
Such is the power of the gospel if applied in faith to the sin sick soul. The blood of Christ can make the vilest sinner whole. "Thou shalt call his name Jesus," the angel instructed Mary, "for he shall save his people from their sins." Matthew 1:21.
The gospel is the power of God to save men and women. From what do we need to be saved? The text in Matthew's Gospel contains the answer, "He shall save his people from their sins."
Gerasa once was a flourishing, prosperous city, receiving most of its revenue from the sale of incense used by pagans in various forms of worship. As the gospel penetrated this section of the Roman empire and the worship of God displaced idol worship, the importance of Gerasa waned. Trade declined; gradually the city fell into decay.
Now, centuries later, through the rocky ruins of ancient Gerasa, the saxifrage plant, the "rock breaker," still flourishes as it pushes asunder the crumbling colannades of primitive paganism.
Such also is the power of the gospel. It is indeed a rock breaker. Hearts,apparently as unyielding as flint, have been broken by the simple story of a Saviour's love of an death for sinners.
The word gospel in the original language of the New Testament is the Greek word euaggelion, meaning literally "good news." Truly, the story of God's Son, given to a world which the prophet Isaiah describes as being covered by "gross darkness" (Isaiah 60:2), is indeed good news.
Paul declares that the gospel is far more than a mere story, much more than good news. He wrote, "I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ; for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth." Romans 1:16.
"Our Saviour Jesus Christ," Paul says, "hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel." 2 Timothy 1:10. "The wages of sin is death," he writes further; "but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 6:23. Sin says, "Die!" But through Christ we may live.
In the tropical forests of the West Indies grows the manchineel tree, bearing an apple-shaped fruit. The milky juice of this tree is very poisonous. Among these deadly trees grows a species of fig tree whose sap, if applied in time, it is claimed, will counteract the effects of the manchineel poisoning.
Such is the power of the gospel if applied in faith to the sin sick soul. The blood of Christ can make the vilest sinner whole. "Thou shalt call his name Jesus," the angel instructed Mary, "for he shall save his people from their sins." Matthew 1:21.
The gospel is the power of God to save men and women. From what do we need to be saved? The text in Matthew's Gospel contains the answer, "He shall save his people from their sins."
