The Seventh Sunday of Easter (OTA)

Genesis 19:23-29

23 The sun had risen on the earth when Lot came to Zoar. 24 Then the LORD rained on Sodom and Gomorrah sulfur and fire from the LORD out of heaven. 25 And he overthrew those cities, and all the valley, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and what grew on the ground. 26 But Lot’s wife, behind him, looked back, and she became a pillar of salt.

27 And Abraham went early in the morning to the place where he had stood before the LORD. 28 And he looked down toward Sodom and Gomorrah and toward all the land of the valley, and he looked and, behold, the smoke of the land went up like the smoke of a furnace.

29 So it was that, when God destroyed the cities of the valley, God remembered Abraham and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow when he overthrew the cities in which Lot had lived.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. 2001 (Ge 19:23–29). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

If you recall, Jesus said it would be better for Sodom and Gomorrah on the Day of Judgment than you.  There could be great speculation as to why Jesus actually says this.  One could argue that the cry that has come before God for the wickedness of the world today (or at the time of Jesus) is greater than that which was heard concerning Sodom and Gomorrah.

But would could also notice, that Sodom and Gomorrah did not have Jonah or some other Prophet come into their town and warn them of coming destruction.  They did have Lot urge them not to miss treat these men who had come under his roof.  But Sodom and Gomorrah were not told if we can make 10 righteous people you will be saved.

Abraham prayed for God to narrow it down to 10 righteous people.  Lot welcomed the messengers of God under his roof.  But the people were not asked to repent and believe.  In same ways even Lot and his family were not asked to repent.  They were ordered not to turn back toward Sodom and Gomorrah.  Lot's wife failed this small command and was turned into a pillar of Salt.

Why will it be worse for those standing before Jesus than for those destroyed in Sodom and Gomorrah?  Jesus Christ has called us all to repent of our sinful deeds.  He has told us of the way of Salvation.  He has shown us the Hope of eternal life.  He has presented the whole truth before our eyes.  This is why we will judged worse then them.  Because if Sodom and Gomorrah had seen the miracles that we know God did, they would have repented.  (This still should apply even to those who can only read about them in the Bible.)  We have been given a witness, to tell us of the Love of God.