Today we will be looking at Luke 10:12-16. Here Jesus points out the consequences of rejecting the Gospel. In some ways we are a generation in rebellion against this principle of cause and effect. We like it when it allows us to create new technology. But we do not like it when it gets in the way of our sin. Sin always has destructive consequences in your life, of which the ultimate one is eternal judgment.
Jesus had just finished telling his disciples how to deal with rejection. They were to shake the dust off of their feet as evidence against that city and those people. They had heard the gospel. Now Jesus turns to speak to those cities regarding the consequences. Do you recognize that our decisions and choices in life have many consequences, and that some of those may be eternal? Yes, some choices are about small matters and have minimal consequences. But, rejecting the gospel of Jesus has eternal consequences. Thus Jesus warns them of the coming Day of Judgment. Jesus uses a term translated as “woe.” It is more a cry than it is a word. It is used to simulate the cry that comes from a person who is receiving punishment or judgment. Woe is coming upon this world, and woe to those who refuse to hear the truth.
Jesus points out that some people have receive a greater witness of the Truth of God than others. Greater here can mean in content. Some had received a testimony of the law and yet others had received the greater testimony of the Gospel. Although the Gospel is in the Law it is there in seed form. In the gospel we see those seeds as full grown and flourishing plants. However, some have received greater witness in the sense of the person and power displayed. Sodom did have a witness of righteousness in the person of Lot. However, Lot did not do any miracles that we know of. Yet, the people of Capernaum had Jesus and his disciples who came healing all who came to them and casting out any demons. Thus Jesus says in verse 15 that Capernaum was “exalted to the heavens.” Of all Israel this city had received the greatest portion of Christ’s ministry, not because they deserved it more, but because that is just how things happened. Jesus stayed in the north because it was not his time yet and Jerusalem was too hostile towards him. His own town did not really want him around either. Thus the cities of the Sea of Galilee received a greater portion of God’s grace to that age.
Yet, all peoples will be held accountable for that witness that they did receive. These cities are being used to represent those who lived within them. Jesus is not just warning cities, but in actuality, those individuals who lived within them. Though some have received more witness and some less, all had received enough to believe. In the Gospel of John Jesus had said, “My sheep hear my voice.” Those who are hungry for truth will drink of it when it is given, regardless of the amount. This Day of Accountability comes in two ways. Sodom had received a judgment from God in which the whole city was destroyed and disappeared from the face of the earth. This represents an extreme judgment while one is alive upon the earth. They are not always this extreme. But, we often experience God’s judgment against sin throughout our lives in various ways. Yet, Jesus speaks of a judgment upon Sodom that is future. Here he refers to The Final Judgment that takes place at the end of this age. It is a judgment that is after our death and has eternal consequences. Jesus says that it will be more tolerable for Sodom at the Final Judgment than it will be for Capernaum. How could this be? It will be this way because Capernaum had received far more than Sodom and yet would still ultimately reject Christ.
Think of each of these ancient cities. Sodom, Tyre and Sidon were all Gentile cities that had received clear and overwhelming judgments from God. Each of them had received some witness of the truth, whether through the lives of the righteous, or warnings from prophets. It was easy for Israel to look down upon these cities as wicked and doomed by God’s judgment. But they couldn’t see the same problem within themselves. Just like Sodom, Capernaum would be brought down to hades, or the grave. Not only will the inhabitants die, but the city will be completely destroyed too.
So what is a “more tolerable” judgment? Jesus is not saying that they will get off without judgment. The inhabitants of both Sodom and Capernaum will suffer judgment. But those who had the greater witness will receive a greater judgment. There are several verses within the New Testament that mention different degrees of punishment in hell. We are given no details which has lead to the imagination of men to write books like Dante’s “Inferno.” But, recognize that lesser punishment is no great hope. It is the greater punishment that is meant to be a warning to Capernaum, Chorazin, and Bethsaida. Though the degrees of punishment are not detailed they are presented as a matter of fact. Here is one of them. Luke 12:47-48.
“And that servant who knew his master’s will, and did not prepare himself or do according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. But he who did not know, yet committed things deserving of stripes, shall be beaten with few. For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more.”
Thus, the key is to take full advantage of the truth and witness that God gives you. No one will be held accountable for what they didn’t receive. Sometimes we have the tendency to expect God to “prove” himself to us. I will not believe unless God does such and such exactly to my specifications. Be careful of such an attitude. God has revealed himself to you in a way for which you will be accountable. You can miss the blessing of that witness because it is not “great” enough.
Jesus ends this with the statement that his disciples represent him. He has appointed and sent them. Down through the ages this teaching has been passed down. To reject these teachers was to reject Christ himself. Now it is clear that not all who claim to represent Christ actually do. They represent their own selfish motivations. Yet, this is not an excuse to reject those who really do represent Christ. We are fooling ourselves if we say that no one represents Jesus. This is a warning to both Churches and to those who judge them. It is a warning to both Christians and those who despise them. We will be held accountable for what God has given us. Lastly, Jesus is equated with the Father. To reject Jesus is to reject God the Father. Many say they serve God, but refuse to accept Jesus. This is tragic because the Father sent Jesus. Jesus is his plan. He wants you to know that and is working to reveal that truth to you. There is no other way. Don’t use your devotion to God as a means of cloaking your rejection of Jesus because to reject Jesus is actually rejecting the Father himself.
America has received a great quantity and quality of God’s witness compared to many other places. Will we not go through difficult things in this life and in the Final Judgment because of this? Don’t harden your heart because you don’t think it is great enough. In fact, many from places that have received far less witness are pressing into the Kingdom of God ahead of Americans. We most certainly have judgments coming within this life at every level: individual, city, state, and the nation as a whole. Unless we repent and turn in faith to Jesus it is unavoidable. The warning signs are all around us and in fact we are already knee deep in it. Yet, even now, if we will turn from our wicked ways and turn towards Jesus we can be saved.
God loves us and will be faithful to give us enough in order to believe. Great miracles are no guarantee of faith. Many have perished and gone on to judgment in spite of amazing miraculous things. Look at the grace and truth He is pouring out to you even now and believe.