Matthew 11:20–24 (ESV)
Woe to Unrepentant Cities
20 Then he began to denounce the cities where most of his mighty works had been done, because they did not repent. 21 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty
works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22 But I tell you, it will be more bearable on the day of judgment for Tyre and Sidon than for you. 23 And
you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? You will be brought down to Hades. For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. 24 But I tell you that it will be more tolerable
on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom than for you.”
Jesus is deeply grieved that some who have had the greatest opportunity to hear the
Gospel stubbornly refuse to repent and believe. His warning to the Galilean cities is one for us to take to heart as well. Many of us have been blessed to drink often of the water of life. We must respond eagerly and sincerely. Day by day, Jesus patiently
invites us to repent of our sins and hear His word of forgiveness.
I pray:
Turn my heart daily, O Holy Spirit, to confess my sins and receive the full and free forgiveness earned by Jesus. Amen.
Engelbrecht, E. A. (2009). The
Lutheran Study Bible (p. 1603). St. Louis, MO: Concordia Publishing House.