20 Then he began to denounce the cities where 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 done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22 But I tell you, it will be more bearable on the day of judgment for Tyre and Sidon than for you. 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.” (Matthew 11)
When we see these sharp-cutting statements of Jesus, it's like he aimed a shotgun of words at each of these Jewish areas and let loose in anger and vengence, and there is that sense of stern warning He is giving: refusal to repent is a serious matter. God's mercy and offer of forgiveness is not to be ignored! But there is more than what these words say; there is the why. The word "woe" also carries with it a sorrow, a brokenness over sin. Jesus is just as sad as He is mad at the lack of repentance in light of God's grace. He is not taking pleasure in "telling them off"; He is weeping as He warns. What a terrible, terrible thing to be offered such good news and reject it! Opportunity squandered. Grace rejected. Judgment pronounced. As we share and live the Gospel, may we have hearts like Jesus: sharing and caring that people receive what God is offering them. May we not develop hard hearts like those who refuse Him.
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