The Unrepentant

“Then he began to denounce the cities where most of his mighty works had been done, because they did not repent…….…. 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.” Matthew 11:20, 23 ESV

We have all heard the saying, ‘a picture is worth a thousand words.’ Truth is often revealed by an un-expecting snapshot, or a video capturing the events of an altercation. It is hard to deny the obvious when closely examining the material presented. Opinions change as facts become a reality. The truth becomes known regardless of the narrative that is being presented.  Unfortunately there are those who will refuse to believe what the eyes see due to their indifference towards the truth as they view it.

Tragically the truth about God is being dismissed by those who are indifferent to the things of God, even though He has revealed Himself to us. The apostle Paul writing in Romans explains, “For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.” (Ro.1:20 esv) Yet there are those who investigate other places, even within themselves to find the truth, to find the meaning of life, and to find the good in themselves. They fail to find the need for repentance before a holy God, even though they see miracles all around them.

Jesus denounced several cities in the New Testament, especially Capernaum, due to their unrepentance. He performed miracles in Chorazin and Bethsaida, outskirts of nearby Capernaum, and they were unresponsive to them. And in Capernaum, where Jesus made His ministry headquarters, the results were the same. Those who have seen Jesus, witnessed His miracles and heard Him preach of the kingdom of God, were indifferent to Him and their need to follow Him. Jesus’ words were strong towards them for their unrepentance, “And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? You will be brought down to Hades.” (Mt.11:20a esv)

Today the same situation exists with even more responsibility. The knowledge of God and His plan for salvation through His Son Jesus Christ is made available in ways that would have been unimaginable in Jesus’ day. As Capernaum had a greater responsibility put upon them with Jesus conducting His business right in their hometown, we have an enormous responsibility to repent of the failure to get the Word out as Christ’s church. And for those who are indifferent to the God of the Bible and His Son Jesus, a greater knowledge of God is available to you in our day. Do not be denounce by Jesus for being one of the unrepentant.