We Must Not Repeat The Mistakes Of The Past 

 I was reading the scriptures the Lord kept nudging my heart. Saying unto me, “ I gave a warning to my churches when I walked the earth. How much less should I speak today. My churches have had the added blessing of my written word. Yet they still commit the same sins. I have given an example of how to become more like me. Yet they persist in becoming more like whom I came against. The hardness of  many hearts has not allowed my word to be received in its fullness.”  

In Matt 11:20 Jesus began to upbraid the cities where he did most of His mighty works. Upbraid is a very strong word used against the cities.  

 UPBRA'ID, v.t.

1.  To charge with something wrong or disgraceful; to reproach; to cast in the teeth; followed by with or for, before the thing imputed; as, to upbraid a man for his folly or his intemperance.

Yet do not upbraid us with our distress.

He upbraided them with their unbelief.  Matt. 16.

[The use of to and of, after upbraid, as to upbraid a man of his gain by iniquity, to upbraid to a man his evil practices, has been long discontinued.]

2.  To reproach; to chide.God who giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not.  James 1.

3.  To reprove with severity.Then he began to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done - Matt. 11.

4.  To bring reproach on.How much doth thy kindness upbraid my wickedness!

5.  To treat with contempt.  Obs.  

In Bethsaida a city in Galilee and Chorazin mighty works were done. Many were healed and freed from demonic torments. The blind man was healed.(Mark 8:22-23) This was Andrew, Peter and Philips native city.(John 1:44 & 12:21) The feeding of the nearly 5000 followers of Christ occurred here as well. The name Bethsaida translates in Greek as a place of nets. Jesus tells us many mighty works were done before these people. Yet they received not the love of the truth. They repented not to of the sins Jesus came to condemn.  

Mat 11:20  Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not:

Mat 11:21  Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.

Mat 11:22  But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you.

 

Jesus himself performed the miracles, yet they refused to receive the truth. Here another strong word is used against them. He says woe to them. This word has intensity of warning. We all are aware Tyre and Sidon were destroyed by the hand of God.  

 Joel 3:4  Yea, and what have ye to do with me, O Tyre, and Zidon, and all the coasts of Palestine? will ye render me a recompence? and if ye recompense me, swiftly and speedily will I return your recompence upon your own head;

Joel 3:5  Because ye have taken my silver and my gold, and have carried into your temples my goodly pleasant things:

Joel 3:6  The children also of Judah and the children of Jerusalem have ye sold unto the Grecians, that ye might remove them far from their border.  

This people sold Gods chosen people into slavery and corrupted those things deemed holy by the Lord.Yet, more tolerance will be given to them at judgment. The sins of Bethsaida and Chorazin were counted greater because they had the benefit of seeing the son of God perform miracles in their midst.  

 Mat 11:23  And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.

Mat 11:24  But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee.  

 Here we see the Lord again upbraid the people of Capernaum. He speaks against them with an even greater charge. They have exalted themselves unto heaven. Pride in their ability brought them to a point of not even needing the Lord. Again Jesus points out mighty works were done there. He compares these people to Sodom and Gomorra. The word tells us the sins of Sodom and Gomorra were vial and wicked. Men had left the natural affection to burn towards one another with lust. All manner of wickedness without boundaries was in their midst. Yet the pride of Capernaum would be judged more harshly.  

When you study the spiritual significance of Capernaum, you find it was a very important cornerstone location for Jesus. His headquarters was established there (Matt 4:13-17). Six separate miracles were performed here. Including the healing of the centurions servant (matt 8:5-13), the nobleman’s son (John 4:46-54), the demoniac was freed (Mark 1:21-28) Peters mother-in-laws fever was rebuked (Matt 8:14-17) and the paralytic was able to walk (Matt 9:1-8). Also many other diseases were cured (Matt 8:16-17). Among the mightiest messages of Jesus was  The Bread of Life sermon preached there. John 6:24-71)And Mark 9:33-50  

Out of the mouth of Jesus judgment is promised to these cities. Why then do we commit the same evils. The hardness of their hearts did not allow them to see and be healed. They continued in contempt coming against Jesus in every way. Speaking evil of what they knew not. Using the word as a weapon trying to ensnare him in His words. Coveting position and stature to gain the glory of men. Standing in the synagogues promoting the respect of persons. Belittling the followers of the Lord. Bitterness, fear, jealousies and envies were commonplace. The scribe, Pharisees and hypocrites were found on every corner professing their holiness.  These people were blessed to see firsthand the works of Jesus. Yet they are condemned by the mouth of Jesus. Many of our modern churches also can speak of seeing the mighty works of the hand of the Lord. Being recipient of a miracle of God does not promise redemption. It is a choice to walk by the word exhibiting the fruit of righteousness.  

Let us not loose sight of how Jesus spoke against these people with disdain. We must learn where the error occurred and not make the same mistakes. It is time for us to humble ourselves before the mighty hand of God. Before He brings us down according to His word.  

Let us each look at our own trees. Judge according to the word to see if we ourselves posses the fruit of the Spirit. Not looking around at each other faults and in self exhalation. But inspecting our own hearts motives. The Lord looks at the inward man not the outward adorning. He desires us to grow into His sons and daughters so we may inherit the fullness of the kingdom.  

Until we grow from being under tutors and governors we will not inherit what the Lord desires. It is an important time in the sanctification of the Body. Time to look inward at even our smallest motives. Not looking to the right or left. But inward. Asking the Lord to remove all darkness which would hinder His desire in our lives.  

This does not diminish the need for intense intercession. It is a bilateral work being done. As we grow closer to the Lord through obedience in intercession the transformation into His image will come automatically. Again not by works but by fellowship with the Father.  

Mat 11:28  Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Mat 11:29  Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

Mat 11:30  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

  For all who desire rest it entails taking the yoke of Jesus upon your shoulders. Learning about Him in even the smallest detail. Becoming more like Jesus. As we learn the power in this scripture even though more will be occurring until the day of the Lord. It will be accomplished with ease. For His yoke is easy, and burden light. Learn of His ways and be made free.  

In HIS Service,

Teresa M. Daly-Crews
www.jesusrministries.org
JahShalom@msn.com