PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Matthew 11

What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?

“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida!” (Matthew 11:21)
Jesus and his disciples came in peace, bring healing and hope.
Yet they were rejected, falsely accused, threatened or driven out!
These were covenant communities, people who should have known better.
They would be the same as church communities today.
Imagine a church today not welcoming people with grace, mercy and peace.
Think about how Sodom responded to the messengers visiting Lot.
“This was the sin of Sodom: They were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy. They were haughty and did detestable things before me.” (Ezekiel 16:49)
Jesus is not threatening these towns (or churches today) with divine revenge.
He makes it clear: refusing to receive and to show grace is deadly!
Jesus receives me by grace alone, full of mercy, welcoming me in peace.
Do I receive it, and does it show in how I do this with others?
How we accept others needs to reflect how Jesus accepts us (Romans 15:7).
Am I gracious to strangers, or carelessly, cruelly rejecting them (Hebrews 13:2)?
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, grace is not just a gift, but a responsibility. Freely I have received, help me to freely give!