We recently finished our 2025 summer sermon series, Sweeter Than Honey. Pastors of our church shared verses from God’s Word that have helped shape their personal walk with Jesus in this sermon series. Continuing this theme, I want to share a couple of verses that have similarly impacted me. The verses I have selected are less about the sweetness of the gospel and more about the sticky mess created when we focus on good things rather than the best thing.

“And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted to the heavens? No, you will go down to Hades. For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day. But I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you” (Matthew 11:23-24, emphasis added).

When I read these verses, I can’t help but pause and ask, “What did the people of Capernaum do to deserve a more serious judgment than the exceedingly sinful people of Sodom?” After all, we know within the city of Sodom “not even 10 righteous people could be found” (Genesis 18). The people of Sodom “indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural desires” (Jude 1:7). God judged the people of Sodom to be so morally wicked, that he “rained down burning sulfur out of heaven,” utterly destroying them in order to make an example of his mighty judgment (Genesis 19:24-26).

What sin did Jesus find in Capernaum that was more grievous against God than the lawlessness and immorality in Sodom?

To answer this question, we need to educate ourselves about the people and events of first-century Capernaum. The city was an ancient fishing and agricultural town located on the northwest shore of the Sea of Galilee. From the Bible, we know Jesus left Nazareth to live in Capernaum after His baptism by John (Matthew 4:12). This was Jesus’ home base during his public ministry. Jesus met Peter in Capernaum and stayed with him in his house near the synagogue. We know Jesus selected several of his other disciples from this region. The Bible tells us Jesus taught in the synagogue, along the shores and in the fields. He performed many miracles within Capernaum and crowds of people were amazed.

• Jesus healed a man from leprosy (Matthew 8:3). 
• Jesus healed a centurion’s servant with just the power of his words (Matthew 8:13). 
• Jesus healed Peter’s mother-in-law while he stayed in her house (Matthew 8:15). 
• Jesus cast demons out of people (Matthew 8:17). 
• Jesus healed a paralyzed man so that the Jewish leaders would know “the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins” (Matthew 9:6). 
• Jesus brought back to life the daughter of a synagogue leader (Matthew 9:25).

So, what did Jesus find so distasteful about the people’s response that justified a harsher punishment by God than the immoral people of Sodom? I think the answer was COMPLACENCY.

The people of Capernaum were given a “great light to shine on the people living in darkness” (Isaiah 9:1-2) and they failed to pay attention. They heard the preaching and they were amazed with the miracles, but the presence of Jesus Christ did not change their lives. Their faith was lukewarm. They chose to practice righteousness rather than worship the living God.

These verses should cause us to pause and consider our own response to the good news of Jesus Christ. Yes, God hates immoral behavior. Rest assured, judgment is warranted when God’s laws are broken. For some people, the impact of God’s judgment will be felt for eternity. For followers of Jesus, our punishment has already been paid by Jesus. And, because of Jesus’ atoning work on the cross, we strive to sin no more. But don’t let good behavior and biblical morals trick us into thinking we are pleasing God. This is the “sticky mess” that Jesus confronted the people of Capernaum about. We can’t confuse what God identifies as good with what God tells us is the best.

God is best. He is our prize. Sin is our problem. Jesus is God’s solution. God’s Spirit leads our way. 

Brothers and sisters of Veritas Church, I’m urging us to live our lives with a focus on what is best…worshiping our God who is deserving of all our praise. He alone is worthy.