Matthew 11: 20-24
Jesus
began to reproach the towns
where most of his mighty deeds had been done,
since they had not repented.
“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida!
For if the mighty deeds done in your midst
had been done in Tyre and Sidon,
they would long ago have repented in sackcloth and ashes.
But I tell you, it will be more tolerable
for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you.
And as for you, Capernaum:
Will you be exalted to heaven?
You will go down to the nether world.
For if the mighty deeds done in your midst had been done in Sodom,
it would have remained until this day.
But I tell you, it will be more tolerable
for the land of Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.”
where most of his mighty deeds had been done,
since they had not repented.
“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida!
For if the mighty deeds done in your midst
had been done in Tyre and Sidon,
they would long ago have repented in sackcloth and ashes.
But I tell you, it will be more tolerable
for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you.
And as for you, Capernaum:
Will you be exalted to heaven?
You will go down to the nether world.
For if the mighty deeds done in your midst had been done in Sodom,
it would have remained until this day.
But I tell you, it will be more tolerable
for the land of Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.”
During Jesus’ public ministry he performed many signs and
wonders so that the people may come to believe who he was. Yet, many of the
people turned a blind eye to the miracles performed before their eyes and
refused to believe. Why? Why is it so hard to believe?
To believe is easy. Even the evil one believes. The next
part is the part we all struggle with – repentance. We are called to conform
our minds to reflect that of the Father. We are to make his will ours. Metanoia.
This means letting go of ourselves and allowing someone else to be in control.
It means to trust fully that God will take care of us and provide for all that
we need.
Are we really that separated from Chorazin and Bethsaida?
Has the Lord not done mighty deeds in our midst as well? Is every day not a
miracle? Yet we turn our backs on him and hold tightly to the reigns. We are
driving this chariot and the horses are at a full gallop towards the edge of
the cliff that will plunge us directly into the nether world.
Jesus warns of the dark days ahead. Sodom was completely
destroyed and yet it will be more tolerable for them than what awaits a nation
who has been shown the face of God and have turned its back on him. Pray that
we will not be that nation. Pray for the conversion of hearts and minds back to
the will of the Father.
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