Sackcloth & Ashes

Sackcloth & Ashes Matthew 11:20-24

You can get a lot of information in just a short set of verses, Jesus gives us an lesson on what it means to reject the Gospel of Repentance in Christ.

Jesus has just finished talking about how they just cant satisfy people (folks always find a way to reject God so they can do what they want even if its harder) I’ve Entitled this message,

Sackcloth & Ashes Matthew 11:20–24 “ Then He began to rebuke the cities in which 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 which were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22 But I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment than for you. 23 And you, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, will be brought down to Hades; for if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. 24 But I say to you that it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment than for you.””

Lets look at 1. Hard Hearts v20, 2. Hard Judgement v21-24

Matthew 11:20 “ Then He began to rebuke the cities in which most of His mighty works had been done, because they did not repent:”

Mighty Works, miracles, displays or deeds of power in the greek here dynameis from dynamis. Even the greek word implies a supernatural force. There was rhyme and reason to Christ not just showing off His Godly Powers. Everything had purpose.

Turn with me to Hebrews 2. Oh that we hear the heart of warning for those then and now, in Hebrews 2:1–4 “ Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. 2 For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, 3 how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, 4 God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will?”

We sometimes think that maybe Jesus was getting too upset but remember, he is the Father. Jesus is God, His words, signs, everything is from God. To reject Him is to reject: God. yahweh. Isaiah 1:2–5 “ Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth! For the Lord has spoken: “I have nourished and brought up children, And they have rebelled against Me; 3 The ox knows its owner And the donkey its master’s crib; But Israel does not know, My people do not consider.” 4 Alas, sinful nation, A people laden with iniquity, A brood of evildoers, Children who are corrupters! They have forsaken the Lord, They have provoked to anger The Holy One of Israel, They have turned away backward. 5 Why should you be stricken again? You will revolt more and more. The whole head is sick, And the whole heart faints.” this calls for…

Repentance. Thats a huge word. Simply its μετάνοια metenoēsan (metanoeō) to change ones mind/way. With just a cursory reading, in the occasion (about 19 or so) in the OT and 34 in the new, its more than just my bad. The LouwNida defined it as to change one’s way of life as the result of a complete change of thought and attitude with regard to sin and righteousness—‘to repent, to change one’s way, repentance isnt to others, its about you.

The first words of Jesus preaching was Matthew 3:2 “ and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!”” then Matthew 4:17 “ From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”” and one more for the road, Repentance was not just preached when the kingdom was being preached but even in the ministry of the apostles. Paul, while witnessing for his life before King Agrippa he said in Acts 26:19–20 “ “Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, 20 but declared first to those in Damascus and in Jerusalem, and throughout all the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance.”

Romans 2:1–16 “ Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. 2 But we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against those who practice such things. 3 And do you think this, O man, you who judge those practicing such things, and doing the same, that you will escape the judgment of God? 4 Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? 5 But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, 6 who “will render to each one according to his deeds”: 7 eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality; 8 but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness—indignation and wrath, 9 tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek; 10 but glory, honor, and peace to everyone who works what is good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 11 For there is no partiality with God. 12 For as many as have sinned without law will also perish without law, and as many as have sinned in the law will be judged by the law 13 (for not the hearers of the law are just in the sight of God, but the doers of the law will be justified; 14 for when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do the things in the law, these, although not having the law, are a law to themselves, 15 who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them) 16 in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel.” Romans 2:4 NLT “ Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?”

Kuiper said, “There is a great difference between repentance and remorse. When Judas Iscariot had betrayed the Lord, he was overwhelmed by remorse and hanged himself (Matthew 27:5). When Simon Peter had denied the Lord, he wept bitter tears of repentance (Matthew 26:75). The remorseful sinner hastens from Christ; the penitent flees to him.”

I don’t want you to be sorry you are caught. I want you to be filled with the Holy Spirit and realize who you are so you can change.

He then turns to the “cities”.

Matthew 11:21–24 “ “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22 But I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment than for you. 23 And you, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, will be brought down to Hades; for if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. 24 But I say to you that it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment than for you.””

I don’t wanna place too much stock in a short set of verses like i said, but man, what Jesus gives here says so much. And you see the emotion in the statements of Christ. The price of rejection. The depth of meaning in it.

Bethsaida - where they healed the demoniac and sent the demons into the pigs that ran off the cliff. And the people said leave Chorazin, Capernaum all Jewish cities on the shores of Galilee.

The place names Tyre, Sidon and Sodom were gentile cities that were destroyed for the great sin of the people within them. (Tyre: Isaiah 23:1–18; Amos 1:9; Sidon son of Canaan, Noahs grandson they stumbled Israel Isaiah 23:12; in the NT a wealthy, carnal city. Sodom of course has multiple causes for its depraved judgment Gen 19)

Jesus rebukes the cities of the Hebrews in comparison, his heart breaking, Jesus and many apostles called Capernaum home, yet he painfully says, there is no glory that remains there. Hell is the place where those who reject will go. Of course, he isn't talking about “the town” but those in it. Corporately.

John 3:18 “ “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” Jesus reveals, John 3:19 “ And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.” Jesus statement indicates another level of Judgment that the light they had truly showed their justified severe punishment. Their continued rejection in the light they have, that we have, carries accountability.

In Closing, turn with me to Mark 6:2–6 this is Jesus in his hometown of nazareth, “ And when the Sabbath had come, He began to teach in the synagogue. And many hearing Him were astonished, saying, “Where did this Man get these things? And what wisdom is this which is given to Him, that such mighty works are performed by His hands! 3 Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And are not His sisters here with us?” So they were offended at Him. 4 But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house.” 5 Now He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them. 6 And He marveled because of their unbelief. Then He went about the villages in a circuit, teaching.”

Are you offended by the call of Christ? By His commands and calls for righteousness? Would you receive Christ even now? Because our day is coming and even here, to repent and trust Christ with our salvation.