Miracles or Repentance?

“Then Jesus began to denounce the towns where he had done so many of his miracles, because they hadn’t repented of their sins and turned to God. ‘What sorrow awaits you, Korazin and Bethsaida! For if the miracles I did in you had been done in wicked Tyre and Sidon, their people would have repented of their sins long ago, clothing themselves in burlap and throwing ashes on their heads to show their remorse. I tell you, Tyre and Sidon will be better off on judgment day than you. And you people of Capernaum, will you be honored in heaven? No, you will go down to the place of the dead. For if the miracles I did for you had been done in wicked Sodom, it would still be here today. I tell you, even Sodom will be better off on judgment day than you.’” (Matthew 11:20-24)

Jesus denounced the towns where He had done miracles. These aren’t places where He couldn’t do miracles because of a lack of faith from the people. The people must have believed and they certainly saw and experienced the miracles but they refused to do the most important thing.

 “In those days John the Baptist came to the Judean wilderness and began preaching. His message was, ‘Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.’” (Matthew 3:1-2)

“From then on Jesus began to preach, ‘Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.’” (Matthew 4:17)

Jesus’ message was, “Repent of your sins and turn to God,” but the people of Korazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum were not interested in repenting of their sins and turning to God—they only wanted the miracles. Do you ever find yourself this way? Do you beg and beg God for a miracle, for healing or food or money, but you aren’t actually living a life repented of sins and facing God? Will Jesus denounce you as He denounced these towns?

“You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror.” (James 2:19)

Faith without works is dead. Faith is not enough to save. We must live lives that show we have repented of our sins and turned to God. We must be done with the old ways of the past. We must take off the old and put on the new. Belief in God doesn’t even separate us from the demons. We must have faith and actions. Don’t miss the most important part of Jesus’ message: repent of your sins and turn to God!

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.