What You Never Want to Hear!

By Pastor Dan Hickling

“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.’”—Matthew 11:20–24 (NIV)

Now, I’m not a Bible scholar by any means, but I do know this: whenever something or someone is being compared to Sodom, it’s never a good thing! But that’s what we see Jesus doing here as He has some harsh words for the people in a few of the cities He spent time with during His time here on earth.

Specifically, Jesus is speaking against those who lived in the predominately Jewish communities of Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum. And He minces no words by warning them they would be judged on a level way worse than the judgment experienced by the Gentile cities of Tyre, Sidon, and yes, even Sodom, back in the days of Abraham in the Book of Genesis. We can all agree that you don’t want to be on the receiving end of words like these!

So, why did Jesus say them? Well, He didn’t just share this in an off-handed or flippant manner. He wasn’t in a bad mood or in any state of being inconsistent with the perfect character of God. We’re actually given the very reason Jesus spoke so forcefully against these people: “because they did not repent.” But what does that mean? Christ called attention to mankind’s need to be restored to God and revealed the first necessary step towards restoration was to repent (or to turn from our own life’s agenda and to submit to His will). In other words, to repent is to choose to allow God’s truth to produce change in one’s life. It’s embracing an inward attitude that leads to outward action.

This is what these people didn’t do. Keep in mind that Jesus had spent most of His time performing most of His miracles right there in their presence. It was in their streets, their homes, and their fields where He miraculously healed their children, their parents, and their friends. There had never been a greater demonstration of evidence that the power and authority of God was walking among them! And yet, when that same authority began to preach their need to repent, they brushed it off. God had revealed so much to them, yet they chose to do nothing with it. That’s why Jesus said what He said to them. It underscores the spiritual principle that to whom much is given, much is expected.

As I read this passage, it produces two reactions in me. The first is gratitude. “Thank You, Lord, that I’m not one of these people! Thank You for opening my eyes and allowing me to see my need to repent and to be restored to You!” This all flows from a deep sense of knowing that it’s only by God’s grace that I wasn’t in that audience when these words were spoken. I’m sincerely thankful that I’m not them!

But the second reaction is one of self-evaluation. “Am I somehow sharing the guilt of not acting on all the Lord has revealed to me? Have I gotten too good at disguising a resistance to follow through on something the authority of God is calling me to?” If I allow the Spirit of God to illuminate the darker corners of my heart, I usually come to see there’s something that needs to be addressed in repentance.

To those who’ve been given much, much is expected. In Christ, God has revealed more to us than we could possibly ask for. What are we doing with it?

Pause: Why did Jesus have such heavy things to say to those who lived in Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum?

Practice: Consider all that God has given you. Take genuine stock of what you’re doing with what He’s given you. How can you practice a habit of self-evaluation?

Pray: Father, You have shown us so much truth by opening our spiritual eyes. Forgive us for not using the light You’ve given us to walk in obedience to Your will and calling on our lives. Continue to show us where we need to grow and empower us to take those practical steps by the power of Your Holy Spirit. Amen!