Matthew 11:20-24
Find a place and time free of distractions for the next 7-10 minutes. Sit comfortably and breathe deeply for a few seconds before you begin. As you breathe in, say the name of Jesus and become aware of his presence with you. As you breathe out, open your mind and heart to receive whatever Jesus has for you today.
In our last passage Jesus addressed the refusal of some to move past expectations and discover true life. Read Matthew 11:20-24 noticing how Jesus extends the scope of his words about unbelief from the present crowds to entire regions.
It’s possible to be in the midst of God’s activity and fail to see what is actually going on. Jesus taught, healed, and restored people throughout the towns of Israel, but because so many people were focused on their own interpretations of Scripture and their own ideas about what the Messiah should be and do, even Jesus’ miracles weren’t enough to open their eyes.
There were, however, a few Gentiles who somehow heard about Jesus and sought him out even though his message and ministry were completely outside their understanding. All they knew was that they were in need, and this Jewish, miracle-working rabbi had something they were lacking.
It is not enough to know the Scriptures inside and out and never come to know the one to whom Scripture points.
Stop to consider your own relationship to Jesus. Would you be more likely to say that you have an intellectual understanding of who Jesus is, or would you be more likely to say that you are coming regularly to Jesus because you recognize your deep need for his transforming power in your life? Share your thoughts about this with Jesus.
Read Matthew 10:20-24 again recognizing that Korazin (Chorazin) and Tyre were first century Gentile towns, and Sodom was the town mentioned in the Older Testament book of Genesis – the town that was destroyed because of the wickedness of its inhabitants.
The sin in Sodom was profound, but Jesus says that Capernaum has a worse problem. Capernaum is the base of Jesus’ ministry activity, and the residents have plenty of evidence of Jesus’ God-given power and authority. But they aren’t ready to turn from their own ideas and turn toward Jesus’ life-giving way.
There is no one whose sin is so great that they are beyond the grace of Jesus. A person only needs to turn to Jesus in faith recognizing their need for him and he is there with open arms ready to forgive and restore. The greatest sin is not an action or a behavior. The greatest sin is unbelief, because unbelief keeps a person heading in the wrong direction.
For the last minutes of this meditation, get still and let all your thoughts settle. Notice your breath and notice any tension you are carrying in your body.
How might Jesus be inviting you to respond to him today?
What will you do about that?
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