The Sorrows of Korazin and Bethsaida By Gbenga Aluko

                                                                                    

Text: Luke 10:8-16

Topic: The sorrows of Korazin and Bethsaida

By

Gbenga Aluko

 

The topic will be looked at with the following sub-headings:

Background

Textual records about Korazin and Bethsaida

The towns they were compared with

The sorrows of Korazin and Bethsaida

Conclusion

Background 

Jesus embarked on His final earthly trip to Jerusalem Luke 9:51 and along that path he chose seventy-two (72) disciples in pairs with a mandate to heal the sick and tell them about the kingdom of God that is at hand Luke 10:9. This is the crux of all gospel outreach till today, are we on track?

Textual records about Korazin and Bethsaida

      They were recipients of the message of salvation vs.9

      They were recipients of divine miracles Vs.13

      They rejected the message Vs.10-12

        They rejected God Vs.16

      God gave a verdict of Sorrow on them

The towns they were compared with

(a)   Sodom: Gen 18:26 ff Abraham pleaded with God to avert a revealed destruction billed for the town, this he did in six categories as recorded but because God couldn’t finally find ten (10) righteous persons the town was destroyed as God began to rain Sulphur fire on everything in the city animate and inanimate Gen.19:24ff. The cause stated as Homosexuality, being flagrant sinners amongst other issues.

(b)   Tyre and Sidon: although the town had a good record on supplying some materials used in building the Temple both during Solomon’s and Ezra’s eras. However, their nature of extortion, idolatry and immorality was strongly itemized by God’s prophet/vessels. And their destruction which was also prophesied in the Old testament came to reality prophesied in Is.23:1-4, Jer. 25,27,47 and Ez.28:11 till the end although some scholars sees Ezekiel’s records as having dual fulfillment via the Devil and the other via the king of Tyre who was believed to be latter possessed by the devil and totally behaved like him. The prophesied destruction of the town was carried out by Artaxerxes. Don’t we have traits of the devil today?

(c)   Capernaum: This town was a notable recipient of many gospels’ miracles as recorded, they rejected Christ, they were also given much but couldn’t even give return little of what they were expected to do. Received God grace but dispensed nothing link-worthy to God’s grace what a pathetic situation leading to an inglorious end, avert it.

 

The sorrows of Korazin and Bethsaida

Some biblical scholars said the anti- Christ is going to be raised from that part of the world and as such they (the immediate residents of that area) will be the first recipients of His ungodliness and wickedness as cascaded. The scripture in verse 12 tells of their impending and unfavourable judgement since they neglected Christ, were sinners, extorters, idolaters and Immorals. Damnation to hell is enough woe/sorrow for anyone, may our case not be like theirs in Jesus mighty name. Amen.

Conclusion

Vs.20 of our text warns that the chosen people should not rejoice because evil spirit obeyed them but rejoice because their names are registered in heaven. Mark 16:17 says clearly that one of the signs that follow us is that we shall cast out evil spirit and speak with a new language, as sweet as this is, it is not anything compared with reigning with Jesus, witnessing/experiencing peace and joy incomparable with our Lord and Saviour may we be counted worthy in Jesus mighty name. Amen.