“Then Jesus began to denounce the cities in which most of his miracles had been performed, because they did not repent.” (Matthew 11:20)

Jesus spent a lot of time around the Sea of Galilee.  Especially during his early ministry.  While he was there he did some pretty amazing things.  Stuff like curing illnesses, calming a violent storm, and healing a paralytic.  To me that looks like a fairly impressive resume.  But apparently not everyone felt that way.

Which, ironically, was a pretty common reaction to Jesus. 

No matter how amazing God is, or what miracles he performs, not everyone will be impressed enough to change their lives.  I’ve often wondered why that is.  If you saw Jesus raise someone from the dead, or cure someone’s blindness, don’t you think you’d be willing to change your life?  Wouldn’t you jump at the chance to follow a guy like that? 

But when I look at the times God has done the miraculous for me, I have to admit, I’m not always willing to make a change.  I think this has to do with not wanting to make a choice.  We tend to be comfortable in our lives and our problems.

There have been studies involving people with debilitating diseases and handicaps.  They are told, “if you could give up your illness or disability, but had to select another disability, what would you do?”  Overwhelmingly people responded that they would choose to keep their current illness / disability.  Even when their disability was more severe than another option.  Why?  Because it was something known.  

Of course we don’t need to have a severe illness in order to understand this.  Think about something in your life you struggle with.  Now if you could have any other weakness, would you be willing to give up yours?  As much as we may hate our weaknesses or our temptations, we often cling to them.  Because they are known.  Because they are comfortable.  Even when we absolutely hate them.

When God shows me something amazing I tend to get really excited.  I’m convinced that my excitement alone will be enough to change my life.  But it never lasts.  Slowly that excitement is replaced with the realization of how hard it is to change.  So instead of acting, things stay the same. 

For all of God’s power and strength he never compels us to do anything.  He simply asks.

The burden is on us.  We have to chose whether we’re willing to respond.  We have to choose if we believe in Jesus.  And then we have to choose if we’ll live our lives according to that belief.  And for me that’s often a scary choice.  Let’s face it, it can be dangerous to follow God.  God doesn’t always stay to the well-lit paths.  He goes to those places that make us uncomfortable and afraid.

But in my mind the alternative is worse – not spending the rest of existence with God.  Jesus said, “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.  Rather be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matthew 11:28)

I don’t think Jesus is trying to motivate us with fear.  I don’t think he’s saying God is scary.  But I do think he’s saying that there are consequences for not acting, just like there are consequences for acting.  Just because we don’t want to choose, doesn’t mean we don’t have to.