Woes and Thanks
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Narrative portion points forward to the next discourse by telling of different responses to the Messiah and King, Jesus
Introduction
Today, we are going to look at a negative response to Jesus as well as Jesus explaining the positive response of others.
Today’s passages carry for what has been to some, a difficult message to grasp.
I want to start out by saying that I don’t fully understand how the things we are going to talk about work...
paradox
acceptance
Begin Point 1 (20-24)
Then he began to denounce the cities where most of his mighty works had been done, because they did not repent.
Now Matthew is recording something that Jesus said regarding another response to Jesus and His message.
Jesus is denouncing these cities
explain cities
The word denounce in the original, means indignation and justifiable reproach
Notice the issue with these cities
It is not that they violently rejected Jesus, in fact, crowds followed Him
Instead, the issue is that they did not repent
Remember the message of both Jesus and John the Baptist
“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. But I tell you, it will be more bearable on the day of judgment for Tyre and Sidon than for you.
Remind cities, they are representative of the whole of society
Jesus proposes a hypothetical situation
God is not unjust in giving grace
Romans 3:23
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
We all deserve much, God owes no man anything, yet by His grace, He calls many to faith
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.”
Capernaum = home base
“Will you be exalted to heaven?”
Isaiah 14:13-15
You said in your heart,
‘I will ascend to heaven;
above the stars of God
I will set my throne on high;
I will sit on the mount of assembly
in the far reaches of the north;
I will ascend above the heights of the clouds;
I will make myself like the Most High.’
But you are brought down to Sheol,
to the far reaches of the pit.
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.”
The answer is “no” instead they are brought to destruction
Three Observations:
First, God is sovereign and has contingent knowledge, meaning He knows what would have happened in a certain circumstance.
Second, God does not owe it to reveal the light to anyone, otherwise He would be unjust in not giving the light to these cities.
Third, it seems that there are degrees of torment in judgement.
I. Those who refuse to repent face destruction on the day of Judgment (20-24)
I. Those who refuse to repent face destruction on the day of Judgment (20-24)
Begin Point 2 (25-30)
At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will.
“At that time” is a phrase that ties this section tightly to what has come before.
Who are “the wise”
Those who had the light, or the Scriptures
God has revealed the truth to “little children”
Who?
All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
II. Those on whom God awakens to faith will receive rest (25-30)
II. Those on whom God awakens to faith will receive rest (25-30)