From January 16, One Year Bible

Matthew 11:20-24

“Then Jesus began to denounce the town 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.'”

Often, as Christians, we think of ourselves as being pretty good people. We are certainly not like the drug dealers, thieves, cheaters and swindlers that we read about in our daily newspapers or hear about on the six-o'clock news. We go to church, we serve in various capacities, we put our offerings in the plate. Yes! We are pretty good people! Our church is a pretty good church! Our town is a pretty good town! In today's “lingo” we might say we are “right-on!”

In this passage, Jesus made me wonder if I am looking at my goodness through my own eyes, or through the eyes of Christ. The people of Korazin and Bethsaida evidently thought they were pretty good too. They might have been shocked to hear Christ compare them to Tyre and Sidon. And those in Capernaum...to be compared with SODOM!!?? You know that got their attention. Anyone who knows anything about the Bible knows about Sodom!

We must do some personal self-examination here. What does this say to us personally. The answer is in the first statement Jesus made in verse 20, which says, “Then Jesus began to denounce the town where he had done so many of his miracles, because they hadn't repented of their sins and turned to God.” But it was not the cities...it was the individuals within the cities. I must look at my own life. Have I repented of my sins? Have I been obedient? Have I turned to God? My reckoned “goodness” will not get me into the Kingdom of Heaven. I must have personally repented and turned to God. Lord, help me renew my obedience to Your word today...and EVERY day!