Matthew 11:20-24  The cities of Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum all experienced first hand the coming of the Kingdom - they saw miracles, they heard truth..  they were in the Presence of the King.  Yet, Jesus condemns them.. "Woe to you.. " They would not repent of their sins. They would not believe His Word.  They would not.. and so they would face the judgement to come.  

The contrast that Jesus uses here is so remarkable.. Tyre and Sidon.. and Sodom!  Tyre and Sidon were at one time bustling sea ports known for their commerce. Sodom.. was known for its sinfulness.  They were gentile cities.  The king of Tyre at one time was the picture of pride.. like that of Satan himself.   The destruction of Sodom is the picture of what judgement from God looks like. 

For Jesus to say that the Jewish cities.. even His own town.. were going to be judged harsher than Sodom.. reveals the depth of their sinfulness.  To reject the Savior.. to refuse the free gift of salvation.. to refuse to give up sin.  To be so full of self.. so full of pride.. These things.. serve as examples of what God wants us to know about Him and His Kingdom... As Paul wrote..  "Or do you not know that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adultery, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, shall inherit the kingdom of God." ( I Corinthians 6:9-10)

But, Paul goes on.. "And such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified; but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and in the Spirit of our God." (v11) Oh so thankful..  for Jesus is still calling out to the lost.. "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.. " 

Father in heaven, Thank You for the gracious gift of Your Beloved Son.. who reached out to us in our sin and has brought us to You.. to make us Your children by the sacrifice of His blood on the cross.  How amazing is Your love for us!  Help us to keep our hearts pure and our lives yielded to Your Spirit.. for Your glory.. We pray this in Jesus' name. Amen.