Gene’s Daily Scriptural Postings.

Reflective Bible Study.

Denounced By Jesus: Matthew 11:20-30

Focus Passage: Matthew 11:20-30 (NIrV)When reading the gospels, we may mistakenly begin to think that everyone except the religious leaders was a fan of Jesus. After all, Jesus fed crowds larger than 5,000 people on more than one occasion. Everywhere Jesus went, lives were transformed and hearts were pointed towards God. I imagine that there were several places that had no sickness or disease in it when Jesus and His disciples were ready to move to the next town. Jesus’ ministry was definitely life-transforming. But even with all the fame and reputation, Matthew draws our attention to a series of statements Jesus makes that cut through this mask of popularity. Matthew describes Jesus speaking out against the towns and cities where He had done most of His miracles because, “the people there had not turned away from their sins.” (v. 20b) Jesus denounces them by saying, “How terrible it will be for you, Chorazin! How terrible for you, Bethsaida! Suppose the miracles done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon. They would have turned away from their sins long ago. They would have put on clothes for mourning. They would have sat down in ashes. But I tell you this. On judgment day it will be easier for Tyre and Sidon than for you. And what about you, Capernaum? Will you be lifted to the heavens? No! You will go down to the place of the dead. Suppose the miracles done in you had been done in Sodom. It would still be here today. But I tell you this. On judgment day it will be easier for Sodom than for you.” (v. 21-24) In His statement, Jesus draws our attention onto some of the worst, most secular and most evil cities in the Old Testament world. The ultimate example is that of Sodom, which was so bad that God even came down from Heaven to witness it personally—before ultimately destroying it. Jesus states that if