The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in Matthew 11:24,
"But I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you."
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
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"But I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you."
Jesus proclaimed a more terrible judgment that awaited the people of Capernaum than that which the people of Sodom face. He also indicted Chorzin and Bethsaida. These three towns all face greater judgment than others condemned by God in the past, not because of the evil practiced there (particularly in the case of Sodom), but because Jesus had authenticated his message and himself as the Son of God through miracles he performed in their midst and they had not repented.
I have a couple of observations of Jesus' condemnation of these towns. The first being that Sodom has yet to face its judgment for the horrible wickedness it had sunk to. The destruction of fire brought down on the town annihilated it, but there remains yet a more horrific judgment of the people of the town. This tells me that we may reap destruction by the sin we sow in this life, but there is a more terrible judgment that awaits all mankind for sin following this life. It is called the "great white throne judgment" in the book of Revelation (see Revelation chapter 20).
Secondly, did you notice that Capernaum's judgment will be worse than Sodom's? Judgment will be graduated relative to the degree of sin. Judgment will not be all the same for everyone who has rejected God. The nature of sin people will be judged for will determine the level of judgment. Don't get me wrong... there is nothing good in this for anyone who rejects God in this life! All judgment will be horrific. The thing is, some will have it more horrible than others.
We read about the sinful state Sodom had sunk to in Genesis 19 and its destruction at the hand of God. With its aggressive homosexuality that incited rape and abuse others (the practice of homosexuality always drives in this direction - don't bother to "correct" me on this, I am right about it), God decided to remove the people of Sodom from this life - all of them! Yet, the rejection of the miracles authenticating who Jesus was and his intention of redemption of mankind is found by him to be an even greater cause for more severe judgment. The reason for this is clear: redemption is not possible when Jesus Christ is not embraced - and he came for the sole purpose of securing the redemption of all who will embrace him in faith. Rejecting the miracles of Jesus Christ is to reject Jesus Christ!
It only takes one little sin to cast us into God's judgment following this life - but not all sin will be judged the same. Nevertheless, all judgment will be horrific, and how wonderful the offer of eternal life Jesus provided for when he paid for the punishment of my sin on that horrible cross!
Who would pass up on something like that?! All he asks is to place our faith and trust in him!
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
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