December 23

Then Jesus began to denounce the cities in which most of His miracles had been performed, because they did not repent. — Matt 11:20 BSB

Even Jesus didn’t always see immediate results from His work. So we shouldn’t get discouraged if our efforts don’t seem to make a difference right away. Sometimes there’s no visible harvest, and it’s not our fault. Jesus wasn’t to blame when His work didn’t always seem successful.

But there’s something more: rejected grace eventually turns into judgment. Jesus had shown grace to these cities for a long time. He lived among them, performed miracles, and spoke truth directly to them. Yet they turned away and rejected His love. So now He rebukes them. Even when Jesus condemns, His words are filled with sorrow. But we shouldn’t think He’s incapable of being stern. The same Jesus whose love shone on the cross will one day sit on the judgment throne, and His presence will cause fear in His enemies.