Matthew Chapter 11 – verses 21-22 (NLT Translation)
Then Jesus began to denounce the towns where he had done so many of his miracles because they hadn’t repented of their sins and turned to God. “What sorrow awaits you, Korazin and Bethsaida! For if the miracles I did in you had been done in wicked Tyre and Sidon, their people would have repented of their sins long ago, clothing themselves in burlap and throwing ashes on themselves to show their remorse.”
The people of Galilee were blessed to so be able to see and experience the wonders and miracles that were part of Jesus’ ministry. But the miracles were not the reason that He came. He came to bring people back into a proper relationship with God, meeting peoples’ needs as He encountered them.
It seems that many people didn’t look beyond the signs and wonders, or really pay any attention to what Jesus had to say. Certainly not enough to change their lifestyles and live as God intended. They seem simply to have marvelled at the miracles but then went on with life as before.
But are we really all that different from them I wonder? Have we ever made a promise that if God will help us in a situation, we will do something for Him in return? – we’ll pray more, we ‘ll go to church regularly, we’ll do anything in fact! But when God graciously responds and life carries on, do we always keep that promise? Sadly, maybe not always.
Are we so different then from the people of Korazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum? When we see or experience God at work in our lives, or in the lives of others, He is doing it for a purpose. He loves us and wants us to have a proper relationship with Him.. He always keeps His promises, but He expects us to respond and keep ours too!
Dear God,
Human nature is very fickle and yet You continually show Your love towards us. Help me never to make empty promises as a prayer. Help me to be open to what You say, and willing to change when You ask me to.
Thank you for the love shown in every answered prayer. Amen.