I think we all know at least one thing about the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. Their story is one of the most well-known and sobering events in the Bible. We very likely know that God destroyed them because of their excessive wickedness by raining fire and brimstone (sulfur) from heaven (Genesis 19.24). We probably know that the whole region was consumed by grievous sin (Genesis 18.20). Every man in Sodom had homosexual desires (Genesis 19.4; Jude 1.7). But what you may not know is that there were other sins also rampant in Sodom: they were arrogant, overfed and indifferent to the poor and needy. There were also other unspecified abominations (Ezekiel 16.49-50). Are we witnessing the rebirth of the ways of Sodom in the 21st century America?
Yet, despite all this wickedness around Sodom, Jesus said there is something worse!! You may be thinking, “What could possibly be worse than Sodom?” Here’s what Jesus said about it: “And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? You will be brought down to Hades. For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. But I tell you that it will be more tolerable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom than for you” (Matthew 11.23-24).
Wow!! Shocking!! Seriously? How could Capernaum be worse off than Sodom? The simple answer is because Jesus spent a lot of time in Capernaum. He did a lot of teaching there. He did many powerful miracles there. In fact, after healing the centurion’s servant and Peter’s mother-in-law, many were brought to him, including some oppressed with demons and others who had various diseases (Matthew 8). The city is thought to be Jesus’ base of operations during much of his ministry (Matthew 4.13).
Yet, despite these things, Capernaum as a whole remained faithless and unchanged. Why? It could be for many varied reasons. Familiarity? Complacency? Hardness of heart? Unmet expectations of the Messiah? Desire for signs without faith?
We are not told exactly why Jesus said this about Capernaum. But the one thing we do know is that Jesus was personally among them, giving them plenty of opportunity to believe in him, to repent of their sins, and to follow him. Sodom did not have that opportunity. Jesus said that if they had had that opportunity, they would not have been destroyed. Are we witnessing a rebirth of Capernaum in 21st century America?
How are you responding to the opportunities Jesus gives you to believe, repent and follow him? Do you find it easier to denounce the wickedness in others than to admit your own sins and repent? Are you more likely to be repulsed by homosexuality and child abuse and social injustice than your own sins? Which is worse to Jesus?
Joe Chesser