AN UNBELIEVING GENERATION
Opening Prayer
Lord, allow me to recognize the high degree of privilege we in western civilization enjoy.
Read MATTHEW 11:20–30
Woe on Unrepentant Towns
20 Then Jesus began to denounce the towns in which most of his miracles had been performed, because they did not repent. 21 “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. 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 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. 24 But I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.”
The Father Revealed in the Son
25 At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. 26 Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.
27 “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
New International Version (NIV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Meditate
“See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God” (Heb. 3:12)
Think Further
Three major Galilean towns reject Jesus: Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum. These towns are a few hours’ walking distance from one another, and they are privileged to witness the teaching and ministry of Jesus, yet they obstinately spurn him and the life of the kingdom he offers.
Jesus compares Chorazin and Bethsaida to the two Gentile cities of Tyre and Sidon, which were under God’s judgment according to the Old Testament (cf. Isa. 23; Ezek. 26–28). He declares that both of these Gentile cities will fare better in judgment than the other three and would have repented had he preached there. Capernaum receives the most severe censure because it has been the home of Jesus during his ministry in Galilee (cf. Matt. 4:13). Compared to other towns, Capernaum witnesses more of what Jesus does and yet refuses to repent. The rebuke of Capernaum (23,24) is taken from Isaiah 14:13–15, a prophecy directed at the tyrant king of Babylon who exalted himself only to be judged by God. Capernaum is heading down the same path; worse still, even the wicked city of Sodom will fare better in the day of judgment.
The tone of these pronouncements by Jesus is not only shocking but serves as a wake-up call to those of us today still refusing to repent. These Galilean cities were blessed to have witnessed the teaching and ministry of Jesus that many could only wish for, yet they squandered this privilege.
Apply
What about us? Will the church, entrusted with the responsibility of being witnesses to the Gospel of Christ, be faithful to her calling? Will we learn from the mistake of these Galilean towns and use whatever remaining time we have to repent of our sinful ways and pursue godliness and righteousness? Or will we be known as the unbelieving generation to those who come behind us?
Closing prayer
Forbid it, Lord, that we should be known as an unbelieving generation. Instead, may we be Your faithful witness to the unbelieving world.
Click here to sign up to receive the EXTRAs via email each quarter.
© 2024 Scripture Union U.S.A. All rights reserved. Reproduction of the whole or any part of the contents without written permission is prohibited.
Encounter with God is published in the USA under license from Scripture Union England and Wales, Trinity House, Opal Court, Opal Drive, Fox Milne, Milton Keynes, MK15 0DF.