Matthew 11:20, 23b-24

“Then Jesus began to denounce the cities in which most of his miracles had been performed, because they did not repent…”If the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day. But I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.”

Most churches, praise songs, and individual Christians love to talk about the loving, kind and gentle side of our Lord and Savior…but we rarely hear about the other side of that coin: King, Judge and Warrior. The “buddy” side plays well and is attractive and comforting while the Wrath and Judgment side is intimidating, frightening and unpopular. Can you have one without the other? No.

When we think of wickedness in the Bible we almost always land in Sodom. Yet, Jesus says that for those who know about Him and His miracles but choose to reject Him, Judgment Day will actually be worse for them than it will be for the wicked citizens of that notorious city. Who’s your “buddy”, now?

You can’t preach salvation without damnation…forgiveness without repentance…”Jesus is my friend” without “Jesus is my Judge”.

Many Americans who reject the Gospel like to ask, “What about to the pygmy in the middle of the rain forest who never hears about Jesus?” It’s a great question, of course, but it’s almost always a smokescreen to get the focus off of them and onto some imaginary man. For virtually every American, their problem is the same as the one Jesus addresses in today’s verse: Woe to those who HAVE heard, yet still refuse to repent.

Yes, the Bible calls Jesus “a friend”, but that’s only for those who have been adopted into His family by grace through faith.

Repent, for the Day of the Lord is near.