Matthew 11:20-24

Rachel Workman: 20 Then Jesus began to denounce the towns where he had done so many of his miracles, because they hadn’t repented of their sins and turned to God. 21 “What sorrow awaits you, Korazin and Bethsaida! For if the miracles I did in you had been done in wicked Tyre and Sidon, their people would have repented of their sins long ago, clothing themselves in burlap and throwing ashes on their heads to show their remorse. 22 I tell you, Tyre and Sidon will be better off on judgment day than you.

23 “And you people of Capernaum, will you be honored in heaven? No, you will go down to the place of the dead.[g] For if the miracles I did for you had been done in wicked Sodom, it would still be here today. 24 I tell you, even Sodom will be better off on judgment day than you.” Wow, that's a pretty harsh statement. But imagine seeing Jesus perform miracles. There would be no question as to who he was or his authority. How could you just ignore him? Evil would have to have a pretty good grip on you in order for you to walk away from what Jesus is offering you. I wouldn't say it was harsh at all.

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John Burnett:  ²⁰ Then He began to denounce the cities in which most of His ^[a]miracles were done, because they did not repent. ²¹ “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the ^[b]miracles had occurred in Tyre and Sidon which occurred in you, they would have repented long ago in ^[c]sackcloth and ashes. ²² Nevertheless I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment than for you. ²³ And you, Capernaum, will not be exalted to heaven, will you? You will descend to Hades; for if the ^[d]miracles had occurred in Sodom which occurred in you, it would have remained to this day. ²⁴ Nevertheless I say to you that it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for you.”  Repenting is half of what we have to do to be saved.  The second half is putting our faith in the sufficient sacrifice, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ to pay for our sins.  We know what happened to Sodom and it is going to be worse for Capernaum, Las Vegas, San Francisco, and America in general as our leadership leads us against Israel.  Those who repent and put their trust in Jesus don’t have to worry about the wrath of God.  Praise be to God. 

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Allen Michaels:  ²⁰ Then Jesus began to denounce the towns in which most of his miracles had been performed, because they did not repent. ²¹ “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. ²² But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. ²³ 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. ²⁴ But I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.”

Tyre, Sidon, and Sodom were ancient cities with a long-standing reputation for wickedness. Each was destroyed by God for its evil. The people of Bethsaida, Korazin, and Capernaum saw Jesus firsthand and yet they stubbornly refused to repent of their sins and believe in him. Jesus said that if some of the wickedest cities in the world had seen him, they would have repented. Because Bethsaida, Korazin, and Capernaum saw Jesus and didn’t believe, they would suffer even greater punishment than that of the wicked cities who didn’t see Jesus. Similarly, nations and cities with churches on every corner and Bibles in every home will have no excuse on judgment day if they do not repent and believe. This applies to those of us who call ourselves Christians, read the Bible, but continue to live our lives not 100% committed to God.

³ Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. (James 3:1)

If Jesus were to visit your community today, what would he say? Would he issue a warning like the one he gave to Chorazin and Bethsaida?  And how would you respond?  Wherever Jesus went he did mighty works to show the people how much God had for them.  Chorazin and Bethsaida had been blessed with the visitation of God.  They heard the good news and experienced the wonderful works which Jesus did for them. Why was Jesus upset with these communities?  The word woe is also translated as alas.  It is as much as an expression of sorrowful pity as it is of anger.  Why does Jesus lament and issue a stern warning?  The people who heard the gospel here very likely responded with indifference.  Jesus upbraids them for doing nothing!  Repentance demands change — a change of heart and way of life.  God's word is life-giving and it saves us from destruction — the destruction of soul as well as body.  Jesus' anger is directed toward sin and everything which hinders us from doing the will of God.  In love he calls us to walk in his way of truth and freedom, grace and loving-kindness, justice and holiness.  Do you receive his word with faith and obedience or with doubt and indifference?

"Most High and glorious God, enlighten the darkness of our hearts and give us a true faith, a certain hope and a perfect love.  Give us a sense of the divine and knowledge of yourself, so that we may do everything in fulfilment of your holy will; through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Prayer of Francis of Assisi, 1182-1226)