Four Wicked Citys Jesus rebukes the cities in which he healed the sick and cast out demons because even with the miraculous signs, they still refused to repent. And this wasn't a “regretful agreement with God that sin is bad and you wish you could stop.” No, this was a full on refusal to repent and accept Christ. It just goes to show, free will is given to us all and we can refuse to respond to the gospel. And some have been given an incredible amount of free will. Free will that can ignore a dead man being raised to life, or a demon being cast out and continue to sin is not one of a good but lost person. It is one of someone who has hardened their heart against God. (And from personal experience, when a demon is cast out, it is loud, scary and quite noticeably supernatural.) Jesus chastens the cities of Chorazin and Bethsaida, which were two towns near Capernaum where Jesus began his ministry. He even compares them to Tyre and Sidon that were coastal cities considered constant enemies of God and His people throughout.the entirety of the Old Testament time period. Both were very pagan oriented towns where human sacrifice and temple prostitution were common. Jesus is telling them that the child sacrificing pagans from Tyre and Sidon standing before God will make out better on the day of judgment than the Jews in Chorazin and Bethsaida. Is he saying they will be saved? Absolutely not. He is merely saying there will be degrees of punishment and these unrepentant Jews will have no hope, faring worse than groups of people known for their evil ways. Jesus even goes so far as to say that Sodom will have a better fate than these Jews. Jesus’ prayer to his Father begins with praise for God hiding the truths he was teaching, which weren't being revealed to the intelligencia of His ancient world but to the innocent. Keep in mind that in Jesus's prayer to the Father He uses language that reflects the servant role He took in becoming flesh. It is these passages that cultists like to use out of context in denying His divinity when even the Apostle Paul makes it clear that though Jesus was equal with God, that position He had was ‘emptied’ in His incarnation in human flesh. Paul is telling Christians to empty themselves of any attitude that makes them feel superior to others in the same way God did for them. Philippians 2:5-8 [5] Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, [6] who, as He already existed in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, [7] but emptied Himself by taking the form of a bond-servant and being born in the likeness of men. [8] And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death: death on a cross. So when a Jehovah's Witness tries to make a big deal about Jesus being subservient to God in His prayers to the Father, know that the rest of Scripture clarifies His words and makes it abundantly clear that Jesus is God, belief in who He is, is essential to one's eternal destiny. Jesus is emphasizing the close intimate relationship He has with God the Father. He's saying that outside of those who He introduces to the Father that no one knows Him. But this isn't meant as discouraging, or exclusionist. Jesus said that no one knew the Father or can know the Father outside of Him being the one to allow it. But He doesn't stop there. He also says He wants to bring them to the Father. He says Come to Me. It's His invitation to salvation for us all. It's also called entering His rest. The picture is of an unburdening of our souls as we ‘take his yoke on us’. A yoke was a heavy wooden piece of equipment worn by livestock to secure them to a specific area for a specific job. It kept them where they were supposed to be working. A couple of things here. First, Jesus promises that his yoke is easy. In other words, the burden or job Jesus wishes to place upon you to put you and keep you somewhere you're supposed to be is not one meant to tire you. The picture here is of one who is so burdened with life and has worn themselves out that they desperately seek rest. Second, the very act of being yoked, implies that the easy, comfortable yoke Jesus wishes implies you will be doing some work He intends you to do. But this work involves a relationship with the God of the universe. One in which you are not constantly striving for acceptance. One in which you can rest in the knowledge that the Father loves you, provides for you and is eagerly awaiting reuniting with you. And once you reach that point, your ‘ministry’ or work may begin. Matthew 11:20-30 [20] Then He began to reprimand the cities in which most of His miracles were done, because they did not repent. [21] “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that occurred in you had occurred in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. [22] Nevertheless I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. [23] And you, Capernaum, will not be exalted to heaven, will you? You will be brought down to Hades! For if the miracles that occurred in you had occurred in Sodom, it would have remained to this day. [24] Nevertheless I say to you that it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom on the day of judgment, than for you.” [25] At that time Jesus said, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent, and have revealed them to infants. [26] Yes, Father, for this way was well pleasing in Your sight. [27] All things have been handed over to Me by My Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father; nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son determines to reveal Him. [28] “Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. [29] Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. [30] For My yoke is comfortable, and My burden is light.”