Prior to today’s passage from Luke 10:13-16, we know that Jesus moved from His Galilean ministry to begin His journey toward Jerusalem. He sent out seventy-two chosen disciples, in pairs, to the towns and places He planned to visit. Jesus’s instructions were, “Whenever you enter someone’s home, first say, ‘May God’s peace be on this house.’” (v.5) We see within verses 10 through 12, that Jesus also warned the disciples that some people will reject their offer of peace, and that brings us to today’s passage. Here, Jesus helps us to understand that He directs us to faithfully proclaim His Gospel message, and just as people reject us, they are also rejecting Him, the Prince of Peace. We must not get discouraged, as only Jesus is the divine Judge, and we are called to keep moving forward and sharing His loving message of forgiveness and eternal life.
In verse 13, we see Korazin (also spelled Chorazin) is denounced, this was also written in Matthew 11:20-22. Aside from these passages, there is no other mention of Korazin within the Bible. We know that not everything Jesus did is recorded, however, based upon verse 13, we know that Jesus visited and performed miracles within this city, as He did at Bethsaida, where Jesus fed the 5,000 (9:10-17). Tyre and Sidon were prosperous cities that had little regard for Israel. Many of the prophets within the Old Testament spoke of these cities, and Jesus states that had He performed miracles within Tyre and Sidon, repentance would have occurred. When Jesus references being clothed in burlap (or other translations say sackcloth) and throwing ashes on their heads, He is referring to the customary Jewish sign of outward repentance which was to sit in sackcloth and ashes to symbolize grief. We know that outward signs of repentance are no longer necessary, that God is concerned with our heart, and as followers (disciples) of His Son, Jesus, repentance should be a part of our daily lives.
Luke 10:13-16 (NLT)
13 “What sorrow awaits you, Korazin and Bethsaida! For if the miracles I did in you had been done in wicked Tyre and Sidon, their people would have repented of their sins long ago, clothing themselves in burlap and throwing ashes on their heads to show their remorse. 14 Yes, Tyre and Sidon will be better off on judgment day than you. 15 And you people of Capernaum, will you be honored in heaven? No, you will go down to the place of the dead.”
16 Then he said to the disciples, “Anyone who accepts your message is also accepting me. And anyone who rejects you is rejecting me. And anyone who rejects me is rejecting God, who sent me.”
Prayer: Jesus, thank You for Your forgiveness and for Your Word that is inscribed on our hearts. As Your disciples, we want to share Your message. Holy Spirit impart Your wisdom for when we talk about Your Word with others and shield our emotions when people do not want to receive You. Allow us to keep moving forward and sharing Your message. We ask this in Your Name, Jesus. Amen.