The Unformed Rhythms of Grace

God Loves Us
God's Pervasive and Sustaining Love

God's Love for Nineveh

Matthew 11:20-24 The Message

The Unforced Rhythms of Grace

20 Next Jesus let fly on the cities where he had worked the hardest but whose people had responded the least, shrugging their shoulders and going their own way.
21-24 “Doom to you, Chorazin! Doom, Bethsaida! If Tyre and Sidon had seen half of the powerful miracles you have seen, they would have been on their knees in a minute. At Judgment Day they’ll get off easy compared to you. And Capernaum! With all your peacock strutting, you are going to end up in the abyss. If the people of Sodom had had your chances, the city would still be around. At Judgment Day they’ll get off easy compared to you.”

For Reflection

Jesus performed half of his miracles in Capernaum.  And yet, the people had not responded.  They had rejected the signs of Christ's divinity.  The word "doom" is translated "woe" in other Bible translations. While doom is a legitimate translation, it perhaps does not carry the incumbent meanings of pity and sorrow.  Christ warned the people of the consequences of their rejection, but the sophisticates of that day were too proud of their personal success to recognize that their success was short lived. This is a tragic story of rejection.

Christ then turns to the ordinary people and says, "Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” you recognize the value of living in God's Household. '

Pray

Pray that you will "Learn the unforced rhythms of grace." Pray so that you will keep company with God.