Matthew 11:20

Matthew 11:20-30

Jesus concludes with some remarks about rejection in such a way as to remind a disciple to fear God. Jesus' ministry has not resulted in community-wide change. Certainly there were pockets of change or individual change, but not the kind of repentance of Nineveh. Two towns Chorazin and Bethsaida were singled out. But we have no record of Jesus doing miracles there. What ever He did do should have been enough. Because of their privileged position they should have repented. Jesus compares them to the arrogant and pagan Tyre and Sidon.

As bad as that was, it is worse for Capernaum. This was the epicenter of Jesus' ministry in Galilee. They are contrasted to Sodom. This would have been highly offensive to Jesus' hearers. Sodom is the ultimate expression of the grossest forms of evil, yet their condition is better than that of Capernaum. Evil done in ignorance is still evil. Evil done in spite of the knowledge of God's will is inexcusable. The hardening of the heart to the Spirit’s call to repentance causes us to reject forgiveness and that is unforgivable.

In contrast to the hardhearted, Jesus draws the disciples in. It is not the mind that makes a disciple. It is the trust that even a babe can have. There are some key points that a disciple must have. First, there's the simple trust of a babe that does not have the barriers that arrogant intelligence erects. Second, there is the unity of the Father and the Son. So, the invitation of the Son is an invitation to the Father. It is also the invitation to come. To be set free from the burdens of rules and doubt and fear of always struggling to measure up. The life of the disciple is not idle indolence rather the joyful work of love.

"By Your mercy Lord, direct and dispose my heart to always be drawing closer to You, and ever more faithfully living in your will. AMEN"