Week 15 Day 2

March 08, 2022

Jesus Chastises Unrepentance

Scripture: Matthew 11:20-24, Luke 10:13-15 (NIV)

Matthew 11:20-24
Then Jesus began to denounce the towns in which most of his miracles had been performed, because they did not repent. “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted to the heavens? No, you will go down to Hades. For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day. But I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.”

Luke 10:13-15
“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. But it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment than for you. And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted to the heavens? No, you will go down to Hades.

Devotional

A little geographical context might help. Bethsaida was the hometown of many of Jesus’ disciples. Capernaum was the home base of Jesus’ entire ministry. Chorazin was nearby both. Jesus did many amazing things in those town. Yet most of the people did not repent. They longed for and loved what Jesus did for them, but refused to change their hearts and minds and ways for Him.

So, “Jesus began to denounce the towns in which most of his miracles had been performed, because they did not repent” (Matthew 11:20). Ouch. Even worse, Jesus compared these Jewish towns with pagan cities. Tyre and Sidon were relatively close cities that were part of Phoenicia. The people of these cities had a long history of interaction with the people of Israel, yet they produced false gods (Judges 10:6) and the wicked Queen Jezebel (1 Kings 16:31).

But the ultimate insult was to be compared with Sodom, which God destroyed because of their evil practices (Genesis 19). Jesus said to his new hometown people of Capernaum, “I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you” (Matthew 11:24). Double ouch.

Today we in the United States live in a culture where the Church can freely do and be anything God calls us to be. Yet so many people are content to allow the Lord to bless us without being willing to bless Him with changed lives.

Question: How is God challenging you to change your heart, mind, and ways for Him? What is your next step?

Poem

Prayer

Dear Lord, I need a softer heart
In fact, one that is fluid
So when a word from you comes near
It drifts along
Becomes my song
And rolls along in grace

Dear Lord, I need a reined in will
In fact, one that is bridled
So when a calling comes my way
My head is turned
Old path is spurned
And down your Way I travel

Dear Lord, I need a open mind
In fact, one that’s discerning
So when your wisdom shines a light
The old is thrown
Your new thought grown
And thinking is renewed