“If anyone does not welcome you or listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that house or town. Truly I tell you, it will be more tolerable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah than for that town.” Matthew 10:14
There are some very interesting insights from this particular text. The context is that Jesus had sent His disciples to go to the lost sheep of Israel and preach the good news. There are other times when they are sent out to other people groups, but this time they were focusing on Jews. He gives some instructions and principles for them to observe which would help them be effective and culturally appropriate. Then he finishes with these amazing two verses which are so rich with principles for us today.
- First, he makes it clear that not everyone will believe. We should go out praying for success but realizing that success is not a guarantee. It is not my responsibility to succeed, it is my responsibility to be faithful and God is the one who determines success… so He gets the glory when it comes.
- Second, there are degrees of punishment… some will suffer more than others and it seems that it has to do with how much truth they have and what they do with that truth. Think about it, Sodom and Gomorrah were not Jewish but pagan Gentile cities in the old testament. They were wicked, but no one went there and preached to them (there is some debate about Lot’s witness). Those who already had the Law and were receiving the Good News of the savior would be judged more harshly for their rejection of God than Sodom and Gomorrah.
- Third, this leads us to the realization that the greatest sin you can commit is unbelief. Think about the wicked things that Sodom and Gomorrah are known for, and yet, Jesus says the unbelief of cities who have received the truth is more heinous than the wicked acts attributed to the citizens of Sodom and Gomorrah.
- Fourth, people are judged for sin and not for failing to hear the truth. Even though it would be worse for those cities who rejected those disciples, it didn’t mean judgment wouldn’t come to Sodom and Gomorrah; it is coming to them too. This is significant because it is easy to believe that they were already judged when fire rained down from heaven and obliterated them. Yet, these verses seem to teach that they too will also stand and be judged (again) on judgment day.
- Finally, Jesus makes it clear that a judgment day is coming. All who reject God will stand in it, whether they have heard or not. Therefore, it is incumbent upon us to work as hard as we possibly can to go everywhere we can, praying and trusting that they will believe so they will be saved from that judgment. Ignorance is no excuse, and our laziness and lack of effort is not an excuse either. However, we will be judged for that. Run to them and tell them about the savior and what He has done for them; soon it will be too late.
