The towns that did not repent

The towns that did not repent

Scripture:

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

Observation:

In this passage, we see the Lord denouncing three towns in which most of his miracles had been performed because the townspeople did not repent. Capernaum was actually the Lord’s base, from which he set out and went on His preaching journeys around Galilee. He often stayed with Peter and his wife, and presumable Peter’s mother-in-law. Bethsaida, which means house of fishing was where Peter, James, John and Andrew used to fish, and where Jesus called them. Chorazin was also near Capernaum. 

Jesus declared that Chorazin and Bethsaida would be judged more severely on the day of judgment and Capernaum would go down to Hades. Today these 3 towns are already no more, but it seems that by and large the citizens of these towns at that time will be subject to severe judgment because of their unbelief. Tyre and Sidon were prosperous port cities that were nevertheless judged for their pride and sin, while Sodom, which was also a prosperous city was specially judged for its wickedness and immorality. Although, Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum were much smaller in terms of stature and far less notorious in terms of wickedness and immorality, Jesus declared that much more was expected of them because the Lord Himself had come to them and showed miraculous signs and wonders. If Jesus had come to Tyre or Sidon or Sodom, they would have repented in sackcloth and ashes. 

Application:

The general weakness of the townspeople of Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum was that their apathy and unbelief. When they saw Jesus perform great miracles, they did not praise God, but rather chose to question the Lord’s humble upbringing as a carpenter. They were desensitized to the great things happening before them. Perhaps they were caught up in their own world and did not want change. In the church today, some have become desensitized to the great and small miracles having before them. They are mainly preoccupied with their own lives and goals, and have come to take for granted the Lord’s presence, and even His protection in their daily lives

The main lesson here for us is that we need to have that fresh desire to seek the presence of God in our daily lives. We need to warn our hearts never to become desensitized or “used” to the great things of God. Be ever thankful, and thank God for the everyday miracles He works around us, for the big things and the little things. 

Prayer:

I thank You, Heavenly Lord, for the warning You established in Scripture regarding Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum. Let me not be like them, and fail to recognize the presence of God in their midst. Give me a fresh desire O Lord, to seek Your presence in my life more and more. Let me never be used to the great and holy things You give us. Let me never cease to be thankful for the numerous blessings and everyday protections You bestow upon us. May Your name be praised, Heavenly Lord. In Jesus name, Amen.