Mat 11:20-24 Why does Matthew say that Jesus reproached the cities where most of his miracles were done? See Mat 11:20. What does this teach us about the importance of repentance to the gospel message? Cf. Luk 13:1-9. Where were Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum? Locate them on a Bible map for where Jesus performed most of His miracles. What miracles did Jesus perform at Chorazin? Note: the only mention of Chorazin is here and in Luk 10:13; what does this teach us about the extent of Jesus’ ministry not mentioned in Scripture? See Joh 21:25. What miracles did He perform in Bethsaida and Capernaum, and why do you suppose they were more prevalent there? See Mar 8:22-26, Luk 9:10-11, Joh 1:44; Mat 4:13, Mat 8:5-17, 17:24-27, Mar 1:21-28, 2:1-12. What aspect of Tyre and Sidon would have immediately stood out to Jesus’ Jewish listeners? Hint: were these cities in the land of Israel? What apologetic effect would this statement have had for Matthew’s readers at the time so many Jews were rejecting the gospel because it was being received by the Gentiles? Cf. Luk 4:25-26. What do Mat 11:22-24 indicate about the reality of a day of judgment in which the wicked will be punished for their sins? Cf. Mat 10:15, 12:36, 25:41,46, Mar 9:43-48, Luk 16:23-24, Act 17:30-31, 2Th 1:8-9, 2Pe 2:9, 3:7, Rev 14:10-11, 20:11-12. Why does Jesus say it will be more tolerable in the day of judgment for Tyre and Sidon than for the cities in which He did most of His miracles? See Mat 11:21. Again, what does this teach us about the importance of repentance? What does this teach us about the varying degrees of punishment that will be meted out in the day of judgment, and on what basis? What does it teach us about the greater responsibility that comes with greater understanding and revelation? See Heb 2:2-3a, 10:26-31; Luk 12:47-48. What implication does this have for America and so many who live in it? Why might Capernaum have supposed it would be exalted to heaven? See Mat 4:13-16. In what way might many in America suppose the same? Instead of being exalted to heaven for having received the blessing of greater revelation, what does Jesus say will happen to those who do not repent? See Mat 11:23, Luk 13:3,5, 6-9, 16:23-24.
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The Atonement of Christ's Blood: Understanding How the Blood of Christ Saves and Reconciles us to God
What is the relationship between Jesus’ sacrifice and our redemption, forgiveness and receiving an inheritance per the terms of the covenant / will that was effected by His death?- From what, and to what, are we saved? Is it Jesus’ death alone that saves us? What part does His resurrection have in our salvation?
- Does the justice of God demand the satisfaction of blood before He will forgive, similar to what pagans throughout history have believed?
- What was the purpose of the Old Testament sacrifices?
- Does blood alone atone for sin?
- How does Christ’s death render powerless the devil?
- To whom was Christ’s life given as a ransom? From what are we ransomed?
- Why did Jesus not only die, but suffer and die? If all that was necessary was His shed blood, why didn’t God sovereignly ordain a more merciful death for His own dear Son?
- What is the relationship between a will or testament, and a covenant? What was willed to Jesus as an inheritance from His Father, and what was willed to us through the new testament in His blood?