What Jesus Did : Matthew 11:20-21 - Repentance or Consequences
by Phil Ware
Repentance or Consequences - Matthew 11:20-21
Then Jesus criticized the cities where he did most of his miracles. Jesus criticized those cities because the people there did not change their lives and stop sinning. Jesus said, "It will be bad for you Chorazin. It will be bad for you Bethsaida. I did many miracles in you. If those same miracles had happened in Tyre and Sidon, then those people in Tyre and Sidon would have changed their lives a long time ago. Those people would have worn sackcloth and put ashes on themselves to show that they were sorry for their sins." (ERV) Full TextKey Thought
Why is it so hard to change? Why is a certain mindset so hard to give up? As humans, we can be terribly obstinate and hardheaded. Jesus wants to confront us with a choice: see his deeds and repent, or reap the consequences of rejecting him. He allows no middle ground. As Jesus' ministry rushes toward inevitable conflict and the Cross, he wants us to know that the choices we make and the lives that we live in response to his message have enormous consequence. When confronted with Jesus' deeds, even the most stubborn cities would repent. So how can we not be willing to change our hearts and lives to follow him?
Today's Prayer
Righteous and holy God, give me an undivided and courageous heart so that I will confront the wrong things in my own life, change my heart and life, and live wholly for you. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Today's Verses in Context
Then Jesus criticized the cities where he did most of his miracles. Jesus criticized those cities because the people there did not change their lives and stop sinning. Jesus said, "It will be bad for you Chorazin. It will be bad for you Bethsaida. I did many miracles in you. If those same miracles had happened in Tyre and Sidon, then those people in Tyre and Sidon would have changed their lives a long time ago. Those people would have worn sackcloth and put ashes on themselves to show that they were sorry for their sins. But I tell you, on the day of judgment it will be worse for you than for Tyre and Sidon. And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to heaven? No! You will be thrown down to the place of death. I did many miracles in you. If those same miracles had happened in Sodom, {the people of} Sodom {would have stopped sinning and it} would still be a city today. But I tell you it will be worse for you in the day of judgment than for Sodom." Then Jesus said, "I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth. I praise you because you have hidden these things from the wise and smart people. But you have shown these things to people that are like little children. Yes, Father, you did this because this is what you really wanted to do. "My Father has given me all things. No person knows the Son—only the Father knows the Son. And no person knows the Father—only the Son knows the Father. And the only people that will know about the Father are those people the Son chooses to tell. "Come to me all you people that are tired and have heavy burdens. I will give you rest. Accept my work and learn from me. I am gentle and humble in spirit. And you will find rest for your souls.-- Matthew 11:20-29 (ERV)
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