Matthew 11: 20: “Then he began to denounce the cities where most of his mighty works had been done because they did not repent.”
In Matthew, we read how Jesus had performed many miracles. He healed a man with leprosy; He healed the Centurion’s servant from a distance; healed a paralyzed man; healed the blind and the mute, and many other miraculous deeds. But what strikes me in reading through Matthew is that time, and time again Jesus does miracles for the sick, the blind, leprosy, and even restoring people back to life from the dead, yet people still did not repent and believe in Jesus. The very cities where Jesus showed His greatest power the people responded the least and went their own way. Why is that?
In Matthew 7:28-29 we read: “And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes.” The NIV says the crowds were amazed at his teaching. The MSG says “the crowd burst into applause. They had never heard teaching like this.” Yet some still didn’t accept Jesus as the Messiah and Son of God who came to seek and save those that were lost.
Half of the miracles performed by Jesus had been done in Capernaum. Jesus declared woe, pity, and judgment upon the cities that He and His disciples had performed miracles in due to the people not recognizing and repenting of their sins (Matt:11:20). They still did not believe in Jesus being their Messiah. They were intellectually and spiritually proud and refused to come to Jesus in faith.
Isn’t it the same today? People still reject the risen Savior – Jesus Christ. The invitation is for all. Yet Jesus continues to be compassionate and offers freedom in obtaining eternal peace through believing in Him but it involves having a repentant heart.
Then what about us as Christians? We all see and are astonished when our prayers are answered. Yes, I do it too, you are not the only one. But God is gracious and loves to hear our praise and acknowledgment of the gifts He gives us. Don’t we all like to be thanked when we provide a gift to someone? Our memory becomes short however when life then happens again. Our responsibilities weigh us down. There are problems we have to solve. We have a schedule to keep and get done.
We hear beautiful sermons on Sundays and attend wonderful Bible studies, but are we weaving God’s Word into our lives and applying it to desire more of what God desires? Are we asking ourselves if there is something I need to change in processing this information? Are we striving to hear God’s voice in our plans we have set out to accomplish? Jesus concluded Matthew 11:28-30 with these words: “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.” This is Jesus’s lesson on being His disciple. Have you brought Him into your plans today and asked Him to show you His mighty work in your ideas and projects in submitting to His authority? Then be alert to see God’s miracles of amazement in your life.
Listen to Danny Gokey’s “Give Me Jesus” (Live) YouTube.