An Open Invitation
An Open Invitation, Bethsaida, Blog, Burden, Chorazin, Control, Erik Garthe, Gentle, Indifference, Invitation, Jesus, Lord of Heaven and Earth, Lowly of Heart, Mission, No Longer Conformed, Obedience, Repent, salvation, Sidon, Sin, Spiritually Received, Truth, Tyre, Yoke
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“Then he began to denounce the cities where most of his mighty works had been done, because they did not repent.” (Matthew 11:20) That verse is important to the entire passage (vv. 20-30) because
it sets up the issue Jesus is about to address. He dealt with an issue that faces His church’s mission to this day. In this passage, we see the problem, and its solution. First, He made the problem clear—“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! If the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago.” (v. 21) What was the problem? Indifference! No response either for or against. They were indifferent to the works of Jesus Christ done in their midst. It wasn’t that their sin was any worse than that of the other cities. They were simply apathetic about their sin. The truth made no impact; it was a nice speech, a nice show. Apparently, they didn’t think they had any needs to be met! They felt like they were in control: they were successful; they had sufficient “stuff”— i.e. houses, cars, a nice bank account. Second, He made the offer available—“I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children.” (v. 25) You can’t just reach out and grab truth, it must be received spiritually. In that context, Jesus offered the only solution to the problem (in verses 28-30). Give control of your life over to Jesus: respond to His Word! “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” That’s the solution—an offer: let Him be in control and respond to His lead obediently. Stop trying to fool yourself in thinking you don’t need His salvation for your sin.
Sin cera, Erik
Erik O. Garthe is Associate Pastor at Canton Baptist Church in Baltimore, Maryland.
