Woe
Matthew 11:20 Then
Jesus began to denounce the cities in which most of his miracles had been
performed, because they did not repent. 21 “Woe to you, Korazin! Woe to you,
Bethsaida! 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 up to the
skies? No, you will go down to the depths. 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.”
I’M wondering, “Are you tired of Jesus’ warnings?” It could
be that in these past few weeks as we’ve looked at the Gospel of Matthew, that
it seems the “Good News” is far from Jesus’ teachings. His words in the Sermon
on the Mount, to the Pharieses and in response to those seeking the Kingdom of
God have been very direct. He has come the truth. But isn’t the truth so very,
very hard to hear?
Indeed, it is.
Imagine you are a contemporary of Jesus, maybe you grew up with him or his
disciples in Bethsaida. Then this miracle-working rabbi who claims, “I tell you
the truth.” comes to say, “Woe to you.” “Grief will come to you,” Jesus says, “because
you have rejected me.”
Where is the
Gospel, the good news? It is right here. Here is Jesus passionately pursuing
his own people to tell them salvation has come. He urges them with strong
illustrations to repent and be saved.
LIFE Link: Slumbering souls require dramatic awakening.
No comments:
Post a Comment