Knowing The Word in Luke 10:13-15

Woe to Unrepentant Cities

10:13 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. 14 But it will be more bearable in the judgment for Tyre and Sidon than for you. 15 And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? You shall be brought down to Hades.

16 “The one who hears you hears me, and the one who rejects you rejects me, and the one who rejects me rejects him who sent me.”

Comments

“Woe” was a lament of deep regret Jesus had for two cities. We limited knowledge of the extent of Jesus’ ministry and all he did. Chorazin and Bethsaida are not mentioned outside of this passage, but apparently Jesus did miraculous work there that would have inspired great faith in Tyre and Sidon. Tyre and Sidon were on the coast north of Galilee and were commercial centers in the Phoenician empire. Old Testament prophecies against them revel their history of sin, yet even they will fare better than those who reject the Son of God. Jesus was also rejected in his home base of Capernaum. Today it is a deserted site, bearing silent witness to this prophecy.

There is a deep and intimate inter-connectedness between the Father and Son and the Son and his disciples according to verse 16. Hence, when we bear witness to the Son, we are doing his work that he shares with us, and we can feel secure.

Application

Rejection of the message of Jesus comes with consequences that Jesus does not shy away from. How do these consequences lead you into more strategic sharing of the gospel message.

Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ, you stretched out your arms of love on the hard wood of the cross that everyone might come within the reach of your saving embrace: So clothe us in your Spirit that we, reaching forth our hands in love, may bring those who do not know you to the knowledge and love of you; for the honor of your Name. Amen.

(BCP, p. 101)