Rejecting Life

Matthew 11:16 – 24 (NKJV, also appearing in Luke 7:31-35, 10:1-16)

16 “But to what shall I liken this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their companions, 17 and saying: ‘We played the flute for you,

And you did not dance;

We mourned to you,

And you did not lament.’

18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ 19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look, a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ But wisdom is justified by her children.

Sometimes, people cannot be happy. Some will accept the truth of the gospel, while others will reject, and others will simply find excuses not to accept. In this case, the religious establishment and some of the general public find fault in Christ, and they also denounce His very validity as a holy man. People will find fault when they feel conviction and do not desire to respond positively to that same conviction.

20 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 they 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.”

Jesus then turned His attention to the cities that had rejected His message. He was not hurt by the rejection, necessarily, but was offended by the fact that these nations did not recognize their need nor their opportunity to be saved. When individuals see the wondrous works of God, and hear the glorious gospel of the kingdom, their responsibility is even greater to repent and be saved. When people see the truth and reject the truth, there is a stiffer punishment awaiting them. Don’t play around with your opportunities. When the gospel comes to your house, embrace it and live!