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. “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. I tell you, Tyre and Sidon will be better off on judgment day than you.
“And you people of Capernaum, will you be honored in heaven? No, you will go down to the place of the dead. For if the miracles I did for you had been done in wicked Sodom, it would still be here today. I tell you, even Sodom will be better off on judgment day than you.”
Matthew 11:20-24 NLT
When considering passages that inspire thought and discipleship, this isn’t necessarily one I would turn to right away. But, recently as I reading, this passage actually jumped out at me.
Preceding this are many stories of Jesus doing miracles among the people of these towns. They are amazing miracles of physical healing, spiritual healing, and emotional healing.
Miracles that, if most of us had witnessed them, would have resulted in worship, repentance, and devotion to the Kingdom of God.
But, for these citizens, no life transformation occurred.
Maybe these miracles happened in another part of the town, and they didn’t know anything about them?
Not likely. Jewish towns were quite interconnected. They were also not large by today’s standards. In fact, it is believed that Capernum had a population of between 1000-1500 during the time of Jesus. Small enough that it would be hard not to know what’s going on. After all, news travels fast in small towns.
Maybe the miracles weren’t that spectacular? I don’t know about you, but when a man who hasn’t walked for a while starts walking, or a girl who was dead is now playing with her friends, that’s pretty amazing.
Sad as their response was, what really struck me was wondering what my response would have been in that setting.
Would I have explained away what happened with logic?
Would I have just ignored it?
Would I have noticed and then gone back to my daily routine?
Would I have responded to Jesus and worshiped?
I’d like to think that I would have repented and turned to God. But then, I would have thought the Israelites who witnessed what happened would have, too.
How do you think you would have responded then?
Do we respond any differently today? Please share your thoughts by leaving a comment.
