
“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. But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the Day of Judgment, than for thee.” Matthew 11:23-24
The mighty works done in Capernaum were intended to cause those who witnessed them to think differently and recognize who was in their presence. However, they, like the folks of Nazareth, by and large rejected Jesus. The people failed to take advantage of the blessing before them. Jesus responded, “…it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the Day of Judgement than for thee.”
Sodom would have remained because they would have changed their thinking and reconsidered their choices. We know that to be true because Jesus said so. Those in Capernaum were highly favored and privileged to have so many opportunities to see these mighty works that spoke of the deity of Jesus. These miracles said something about the man performing them. Earlier in Matthew 11 the evidence that Jesus provided for those whom John sent, was His works. John had a question of Jesus, “…are you the coming one or should we look for another.” Jesus did not give a yes or no answer, but said, you tell Him that the blind see, the deaf hear, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed etc… Those acts were consistent with the coming one… As a result of the folks from Capernaum rejecting these same kinds of mighty works, they would be brought down to hell.
Regarding the mighty works done by Jesus in Capernaum we learn several things about Jesus.
He responds to us when He sees our faith… (Mark 2:4-5)
He has the power to forgive sins… (Mark 2:4-5)
There is power in the word of Jesus and when acted on in the faith it results in salvation. (John 4:49-50, 53)
His word was with power… (Luke 4:36)
He is the Holy One of God… (Luke 4:34)
He taught in the Capernaum Synagogue (Mark 1:21, Luke 4:31, John 6:59)
He is the bread of life and he that cometh to Him shall never hunger; he that believeth on Him shall never thirst…. (John 6:35)
Those who see Jesus, and believe on Him, may have everlasting life: and be raised up at the last day. (John 6:40)
All of these were done and witnessed in Capernaum, however by and large they repented not, resulting in being brought down from their lofty height to hell or to the grave.
Would (I) have believed? Would you?

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