This sermon on repentance looks at profound aspect of Christian theology that underscores the significance of repentance and faith in the teachings of Jesus Christ.
Throughout the Gospels, we encounter numerous instances where Jesus not only extends love, grace, and forgiveness to those who repent but also issues warnings of judgment to those who remain unrepentant.
In this lesson, we will explore these passages to understand the reasons behind Christ’s judgments and the timeless lessons they hold for us today.
Christ’s Judgement On The Unrepentant
God’s love is deep, far-reaching, and unfathomable. His infinite love sent Jesus, His begotten Son, from heaven, a place of indescribable glory, to die for sinners and accomplish their redemption. John the Baptist, the forerunner of Jesus, hinged his message on repentance:
“And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins” (Luke 3:3).)
Christ, at the beginning of His ministry, also emphasized repentance as the essential requirement for the reconciliation of mankind to God. Christ’s passion for the souls of men took Him to wherever sinners could be found.
His evangelistic journey covered many cities in Israel, three of which are mentioned in our text – Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum. The love God shows to the sinner is not to be disregarded. God’s love, mercy, and forbearance are designed to lead sinners to repentance (Romans 2:4).
Our lesson reveals God’s attitude towards recalcitrant, unrepentant sinners. Christ’s three-fold ministry of preaching, teaching, and healing occurred in the three cities mentioned, but they refused to repent. God’s judgment was visited on the rebellious dwellers of these cities.
Christ’s rebuke and woes fell on the cities of Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum for their rejection of His love.
THE MESSAGE OF LOVE DISREGARDED (Matthew 11:20; John 3:16; Romans 5:8).
“Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done because they repented not” (Matthew 11:20).
It is worthy of note that Jesus had His residence in Capernaum after His rejection at Nazareth (Matthew 4:13; Luke 4:31).
He started His message of reconciliation from Capernaum and called His first disciples while still in the city (Matthew 4:18-22; Mark 1:16-20; Luke 5:2-11).
The city received a lot of divine teachings from the lips of the Saviour. These included the parables of the Kingdom (Matthew 13:1-53), discourse on the bread of life (John 6:22-71), and teaching on humility (Matthew 18:1-4).
It is evident that many, even though they have the opportunity to be exposed to the gospel preached to them in crusades, retreats, seminars, and worship services, are not born again.
There are still several Demases, Judases, Gehazis, and Jezebels that are occupying church pews week after week despite the sound doctrines preached to them.
Jesus revealed the mind of God and His divine purpose to Capernaum by teaching her the parable of the sower (Luke 8:4-18). Christ explained in detail what should be the response of His audience as touching the word of life He was preaching. He expected the people to repent. At the end of the parable, He warned:
“Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have”(Luke 8:18).
God’s love found a perfect expression in Christ. Man is depraved and sinful. Jesus came that He might restore God’s moral image in man.
It is quite evident from the scriptures that although Christ only can save, man has a responsibility to heed the Saviour’s call to repentance. God’s divine plan for the salvation of lost humanity was laid bare by Christ. It is recorded in one of the most popular verses of the Bible.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life”(John 3:16).
This message of love is still directed at sinners in the Church and the world at large. God throws His arms wide open to receive every repentant transgressor.
CHRIST’S MIGHTY WORKS NEGLECTED (Matthew 11:21,23; John 10:25,38; 15:24).
“Woe unto thee, Chorazin! Woe unto thee, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes” (Matthew 11:21).
Apart from the preaching and teaching ministries of Jesus in the cities, He performed many outstanding miracles. The signs and wonders were enough proof of His Messiahship. He sought to save their souls and spirits from eternal damnation. At the same time, He labored tirelessly to rescue the seekers from sicknesses, diseases, and various satanic afflictions.
It was in Bethsaida that Jesus performed the miracle of feeding the multitude (five thousand men apart from women and children) with five barley loaves and two fishes. So important was that miracle to the Jews that they tried to make Him king by force.
But Jesus ran away (John 6:14,15). So significant was the miracle that the four gospel writers penned it down for our learning (Matthew 14:13-21; Mark 6:30-46; Luke 9:10- 17; John 6:1-15). He also opened the eyes of a blind man there (Mark 8:22-26).
These and many other miracles ought to have driven the people of Bethsaida to their knees in repentance and acceptance of Christ as Saviour.
Capernaum witnessed a remarkable sign from Christ when He entered a synagogue there (Mark 1:21-28; Luke 4:31-37).
The people were astonished at His teaching. The solemn service was disturbed by the cry of a man possessed with an unclean spirit. Christ drove out the demon afflicting the man. In that city, Jesus preached, taught, and healed all manner of sicknesses and diseases among the people.
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Those oppressed by devils were set free. The lunatic received his sanity. Those that were sick of palsy were delivered (Matthew 4:23-25).
Another remarkable event in Capernaum was the healing of a centurion’s servant (Matthew 8:5-13 Luke 7:1-10). A rare manifestation of faith by the centurion was commended by Christ. The centurion’s servant was made whole by Jesus’ miraculous power even though several meters separated the healer from the sick.
Moreover, while in Capernaum, Jesus was besought by a Jewish ruler, Jairus, to come and heal his dying daughter. Jesus headed for his house.
A woman with the issue of blood, among the crowd, touched the hem of Christ’s garment and got healed instantly. Jesus raised Jairus’ daughter back to life (Matthew 9:18-26; Mark 5:21-43; Luke 8:40-56).
Given the great deeds and miracles highlighted above, the hardened hearts of sinners in Capernaum ought to have been melted. They should have submitted to the Lordship of Christ, but alas! they failed to do this. Little wonder then Christ had to utter His scathing rebuke and judgment:
“And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day” (Matthew 11:23).
CHRIST’S LOVE DESPISED (Matthew 11:20,22,27; John 6:29,30,66).
The ministry of Jesus in the cities of Capernaum and Bethsaida was attested to by miracles, signs, and wonders. But these failed to touch the hearts of the sinful inhabitants.
In Capernaum, where he multiplied bread and fish to feed the multitude, the people did not yield to Him. They did not only refuse His message, they despised the notable sign afterward.
“Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. They said therefore unto him, What sign showest thou then that we may see, and believe thee? What dost thou work?” (John 6:29,30).
The Bible is replete with cases of people who received divine favor but afterward trampled God’s love under their feet. King Solomon, who was endowed with great wisdom and riches after ascending the throne, later transgressed God’s commandment. He married strange women contrary to God’s word and became an idolater (1 Kings 11:1-10; Nehemiah 13:26).
Saul, the first king of Israel, started well with the LORD. But he disobeyed God and was rejected. In his backslidden state, he ordered the killings of eighty- five priests of the LORD in a single day.
Nob, the city of the priests was ravaged, and many lives were destroyed (1 Samuel 22:18, 19). Judas Iscariot was the appointed treasurer among Christ’s disciples. He later became a thief and a traitor. He betrayed Jesus (John 12:4-6).
There are cases of individuals who were graciously transformed and pardoned at salvation. Later they despised the love of Christ and became fierce opponents of Christ and the gospel. Of such people, the Bible says,
“Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?” (Hebrews 10:29).
The Christian, therefore, should stand fast in God’s love and continue therein. We should endeavor to reciprocate God’s love and mercy toward us.
Sinners’ Eternal Doom: (Matthew 11:22,24; 10:15; Luke 10:12-15; Psalm 9:17).
God’s manifestation of Himself to man could be likened to the two sides of a coin. He reveals His unutterable love for the penitent sinner on one hand.
Then He displays His blazing wrath and indignation towards unrepentant, wicked people on the other. Christ fulfilled His ministry in Bethsaida, Chorazin, and Capernaum.
The miracles that attended Christ’s ministry in those cities failed to stir up the people’s love and submission to Him. The cities, having rejected Christ’s call to repentance, were condemned in very strong terms:
“But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you”, “But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of the Sodom in the day of judgment than for thee” (Matthew 11:22,24).
Sodom and Gomorrah were overthrown by God because of their wickedness (Genesis 13:13; 18:20). God wiped off the two cities from the face of the earth with fire and brimstone, rained upon them out of heaven (Genesis 19:24).
Christ, in pronouncing woes on the unrepentant cities, hinted that greater punishment awaits those who reject Him. It behooves the sinner to repent before the day of judgment comes.
In judging Capernaum in particular, Christ says she “…shalt be brought down to hell…” (Matthew 11:23). Here again, we see that hell is absolute.
The erroneous doctrines of purgatory and eternal security are therefore debunked. Christ taught clearly and pungently about hell and warned men about the danger of going to that awful place reserved for Satan and his fallen angels (Matthew 13:42,50; 18:8,9; 25:41; Luke 16:19-31).
What then should the sinner do? One, there must be genuine repentance and forsaking of all known sins.
Two, there must be total surrender and yieldedness to Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. Three, the saved soul must be determined to continue with Christ and follow Him all the way. The Christian should remain holy and devote himself to God’s service all his life.
Conclusion
In Lesson 46, we have delved into the compelling theme of “Christ’s Judgment on the Unrepentant.” Through the lens of the New Testament, we have explored instances where Jesus issued solemn warnings of judgment to those who refused to turn from their sinful ways and embrace the message of repentance.
While these teachings may strike us with a sense of gravity, it is crucial to recognize that they are born out of a deep and abiding love for humanity.
As we conclude this lesson, let us reflect on the timeless wisdom contained within Christ’s words. His judgments serve as reminders that, in the face of divine grace, our response matters profoundly. It is an invitation to turn away from the darkness of sin and toward the radiant light of forgiveness and redemption.
