It's Not Fair!

Matthew 10:11-15; Matthew 11:21-24

We live in a world that has misconstrued the meaning of the word "fair". Fair is equal opportunity, not equal outcome. Frankly, there are too many factors involved in decision making for everyone to get "equal outcome". Not only is "equal outcome" a destructive philosophy in politics, judicial matters, and education, it is a destructive standard to hold God to. When I say "a destructive standard to hold God to", I am speaking of destructive to God, but rather destructive to man. In out text today, Jesus speaks of cities that were destroyed verse cities that he was preaching in. He plainly states that they did not receive equal treatment. Tyre, Sidon, Sodom, and Gomorrha had all been destroyed for their wickedness. Though there are cities in the locations of these cities of antiquity, they were all destroyed very violently as God had foretold.

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And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, inquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence. 12 And when ye come into an house, salute it. 13 And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you. 14 And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet. 15 Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.

Matthew 10:11-15

Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22 But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you. 23 And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. 24 But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee.

Matthew 11:21-24

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Jesus makes the comparison between cities He and His disciples had preached in as opposed to those that had been destroyed. Sodom and Gomorrha were destroyed for their wickedness during the time of Abraham. In the account of the angels delivering Lot from the city, a sin named was the men of the city attempting to rape the angels. They did not know the "men" were angels and planned to force themselves on these visitors. Yet, Jesus said if the miracles that had been done in Capernaum had been done in Sodom, it would have repented enough to not be destroyed. Tyre was destroyed by Alexander the Great and Sidon was destroyed by the Persians. Jesus said that if the miracles that had been done in Chorazin and Bethsaida had been done in these cities, they would have repented in "Sackcloth and ashes". This might lead some to ask, "Why didn't they get the same treatment and opportunities?" Others might exclaim, "That's not fair!"

There are some things we must consider. First, all of these cities knew that they were sinning. The men of Sodom and Gomorrha knew that rape was wrong. Someone might be willing to rape a person but they do not want to be rape themselves. That very distinction reveals in our minds that there is something wrong with this behavior. Second, there were Godly examples in all of these cities. Lot resided in Sodom and Gomorrha. II Peter 2:7-8 tells us that Lot was righteous but he certainly was no missionary. This does not negate the fact that there was something different about him. Also, Tyre and Sidon enjoyed good relations with Israel and Judah for many decades. They were located very close to Israel and knew of their God. They had helped provide materials for the building of the Temple in Jerusalem during the reigns of David and Solomon. Yet, they rejected God.

Third, Tyre and Sidon certainly had been preached to. Several of the prophets, like Ezekiel, had told of coming judgment for their sins. Just as Nineveh repented during the ministry of Jonah, these cities too could have repented. God's word calls us all to repent.

A fourth consideration is that Choazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum had all been destroyed too. These cities had gone into captivity during the Assyrian captivity. They had also been ransacked from time to time by their neighbors. All of this was because of their rejection of God. Their rebuilding came because of God's promise to Abraham. This was a promise that the Gentile cities did not have.

So, while it is true that they were not treated equally, they all had the same opportunity. We must also recognize that Jesus says that the cities that had been treated less harshly would be judged more severely in the end. While immediate judgment for sin may seem harsh for those cities, a more severe judgment in eternity will be far worse. Why would the cities of Israel be judged more severely? The reason Jesus gives is because they had receive greater opportunities to repent and serve God. The prophets were from Israel and Judah. The Messiah had come to Israel and Judah. The vast majority of the miracles, Old Testament and New Testament, were done in Israel and Judah. Since they had rejected received all of these opportunities and still rejected the Messiah, they would receive the more severe judgment in eternity.

God does not ask us for permission to judge His creation. He is God and is sovereign over His creation. He can deal with His creation the way he sees fit. Though a people may not acknowledge God as God, this does not negate Him from being God or the Creator of the universe. As such, he can deal with His creation as he sees fit. We must accept this and that he will deal justly because he is just.

Christians often get asked, "What about those who never had the opportunity to hear the Gospel? Will they still go to Hell?" I'm not going to give a long theological answer to this here. I will simply say that the Bible says we are without excuse (Romans 1:20), the heavens declare God's righteousness and glory (Psalm 19:1; 50:6; 97:6), and sin will be judged (Ezekiel 18:4, 20; Romans 6:23; Ecclesiastes 3:17). Jesus also said that if he was lifted up (on the cross), he would draw all men unto himself (John 12:32). It is not for me to understand, but to accept and trust God at His word. The clay does not question the potter (Isaiah 29:16).

Father, I do not judge you, but you judge me. Increase my faith. May I not question you but trust you. Increase my faith that I believe ALL things are working together for good. Increase my love that I boldly proclaim the message of judgment and salvation.