Prayer
Before you read, I invite you to pray this prayer based on Psalm 119:116-117
Lord my God, please sustain me, according to Your promise,
and do not let my hopes be dashed.
Uphold me and deliver me,
and I will always live by Your decrees.
Amen.
Briefly prepare your heart in silence, and ask the Holy Spirit to awaken your awareness to the voice of God, coming to you through His Word.
Reading
Jesus spoke so plainly here, it’s quite disconcerting, isn’t it? He prophetically addressed the cities and towns in which He and His disciples had recently been on mission, and where great miracles had been done – Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum. His warning was simple:
Unless you repent, you will face even more severe judgment than the debauched cities of Tyre, Sidon and Sodom.
William Barclay points out:
“These cities did not attack Jesus Christ; they did not drive him from their gates; they did not seek to crucify him; they simply disregarded him. Neglect can kill as much as persecution can.”
Jesus’ words carry enormous gravitas, especially for those of us who have been greatly exposed to His ministry The people of those towns had experienced Jesus’ presence and His mighty miracles. We, in turn, have received the wondrous light of the Gospel, the Bible in our own language, and a lifetime of exposure to easily-accessible Christian preaching and teaching.
We are without excuse if we do not respond to Christ with 100% commitment.
Even for the disciple of long-standing, Jesus’ warning echoes true today: Don’t rest on your laurels! Don’t think simply claiming to believe in Christ and having a sound uderstanding of Christian doctrine is enough. Christ looks for the genuine faith that leads to repentance from every known sin, to a changed lifestyle, and to the commitment of our whole lives to loving and serving Him! He is worthy of nothing less.
Contemplation
Please take time to ponder what Jesus has commanded us. Turn these declarations over in your mind. Keep them in mind throughout the day and live in step with Your King, Jesus.
As a disciple of Jesus Christ:
- I will remain constantly open to His Word.
- I will respond with repentance and obedience.
Lord Jesus, please speak to me, show me Your ways, and empower me to obey. Amen.
Dave's Diary 
Leave a comment