In Matthew 11:1-15, Jesus took time to clarify His
role as the coming Messiah as well as John’s role to prepare the way for His
coming. Here in verses 16-19, He chided the people for their lack of
discernment concerning both their respective ministries. They were nonchalant concerning
John’s and His invitation to God’s moment in history. When John came calling for
an ascetic lifestyle, they accused him of being possessed by a demon. When the
Lord came inviting tax-collectors and all kinds of sinners into the freedom of
the Kingdom He came to proclaim, they accused Him of behaving like a wayward
son. They accused Him of being a drunkard and glutton, and placed him in the
class of wayward children that Deuteronomy 21:18-21 described.
So in verses 20-24, Jesus issued a series of warning
to the people. He was not condemning them but warning them. They were the
people He was familiar with for He lived in Capernaum. Many were His friends
and neighbors, people in the community who met in synagogue. Furthermore, Chorazin
and Bethsaida were nearby towns, a short distance from the lake. Despite the remarkable miracles done among
them yet they would not believe. Citing the cities of Tyre and Sidon, Jesus
told them the two wicked cities would have responded and repented had they seen
the things He came to do. However, the
undiscerning people of Chorazin and Bethsaida would not. Turning to the people
of Capernaum, He told them that they would be
doomed for not realizing the purpose of His miracles. They would be condemned. Jesus
cited Sodom to illustrate His point. He said, the city of Sodom would not be
destroyed had they have the opportunity to see His miracles. He warned them that
it would be more tolerable for Sodom on the Judgement day than the people of
Capernaum.
Although the message of the Kingdom was being preached
and its power demonstrated, the people were still resistant to it. Like His
message to the people of Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum, these hyperbolic
languages of Jesus, serve to point us to the gravity of not accepting His
invitation into the Kingdom. How much clearer can the message of the Father’s love
be? It’s true that none can be as blind as one who refuses to see! Let’s pray
for spiritual perception to know Christ, His message and His Kingdom!
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