The more you do for some people the less appreciative they seem to be. Have you ever experienced that? Some seem to be incapable of being grateful? They receive generosity, grace and love. Yet they either reject it or say it isn’t enough. An atmosphere of entitlement hovers over them even though they are so privileged. Do you know something of what I’m saying?
There is nothing wrong in demanded a response from the investment you have gven.
“Then Jesus began to denounce the towns in which most of his miracles had been performed, because they did not repent. “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted to the heavens? No, you will go down to Hades. For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day. But I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.” (Matthew 11 v 20-24)
A quick look at these cities/towns:
Chorazin – There are no recorded miracles in the Gospels here.
Bethsaida – The man born blind was healed and Jesus fed the 5,000 just outside this city.
Tyre and Sidon – well known cities in the Old and New Testament, now known as Lebanon, pagan, famous for being rejecters of God.
Capernaum – Peter’s mother in law is healed and a man is set free from a demon amongst many other healings and miracles.
Jesus mentions Bethsaida and Capernaum where the Gospel writers record his miracles, Chorazin where nothing is recorded and Tyre and Sidon who everyone knew were doomed historically.
Have you ever wondered at people who encounter a healing, maybe even their own healing, they attribute it to God, but they never surrender their lives to Him?
Do you ever ponder on why people do not carry thankfulness in their heart for all that God has done either supernaturally or through His people/Church? Do you ever wonder why they remain the same and their character doesn’t change even though they have received so much?
If Christ has done a work in you or in front of you then the mission lesson is this: what are you going to do now after witnessing what He has done for you? If you do nothing then it is worse than doing nothing prior to witnessing what He has done.
When my children were growing up the biggest lesson was on thankfulness. Some children are more thankful than adults.
This is not a nice message. It is unpopular with parts of the Church who would never want to offend in anyway. But the truth is Christ expects a return on His investment and as we follow Him on mission so must we. If there is no response then we too may choose like the Gospel writers with Chorazin not to even mention the good that Christ did there, the city was completely forgotten.
Speaking up when you are not getting a return for your investment is a hard lesson perhaps. But Jesus demands our all and that is for all not just a few.
Missions Paul 