Upon a Place Being Cursed by God

Scripture: 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. Matthew 11:21-22

Observation: Jesus spends much of his ministry in and around the Sea of Galilee to the point that, when he is in Jerusalem, most consider him to be Galilean (and if not him, at least most of his disciples). However, here Jesus does something interesting; He curses three key towns of Galilee.

Jesus declares woe over Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum, stating their fate will be even worse that Sodom. They will be judged because they did not repent when they personally witnessed the acts of Messiah. He juxtaposes their future punishment to the cities of Tyre and Sidon, places not known for any special amount of faith or relationship with Jesus at all.

And what happens? Well, today, Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum are archeological sites, having been abandoned and destroyed likely within 50 years of this pronouncement. Meanwhile, Tyre and Sidon are existing cities in Lebanon.

Certainly, towns and cities don't make decisions about whether or not to honor Jesus ... these are choices made by the people who live in them. However, such groups - as found in communities and towns and cities - develop a culture, and people choose the extent to which they will be influenced by such cultures when they make decisions for themselves about Jesus. What we see in Jesus is that, when a community has developed a negative culture that is so strong that when God himself walks among them performing miracles, and they reject or ignore him, the place itself is worthy of curse.

Application: I actually cry when I am in Seattle now days. It isn't the city I grew up in, where I walked along 15th and Broadway on Capitol Hill, took dates to eat ice cream at the waterfront, went grocery shopping for big meals at Pike Place, played soccer in West Seattle and Rainier Beach, Christmas shopped on 5th Avenue, visited friends in Fremont, bought unique coffee blends in the U District ... now, every place I just mentioned is a rundown cesspool with homeless tents and failing businesses by day, and empty streets I wouldn't dare walk around at night.

Has the Lord cursed Seattle due to the culture that has been fostered here, a culture that has caused literally millions of people to reject Jesus? Honestly ... I feel the answer has to be 'yes'. Can Seattle be redeemed? I know the Lord can do all things, so I know the answer is 'yes'.

Prayer: Lord, you are right to curse Seattle. It is a place that, due to influences of lost people, has corrupted many and drives them away from your light and your love. If it be your will, may your light prevail here again, and if not throughout the city then in the hearts of those you call out of the darkness. Amen.