This passage from Matthew describes the Lord’s reaction to the places in Galilee where he had worked most of his signs. The names of three townships figure prominently:.

Capernaum is where Jesus often preached and where he wrought many miracles. Bethsaida was the home of some of his disciples, like Peter and Andrew, James and John. Chorazin, a place close to Capernaum, is mentioned nowhere else.

Obviously Jesus is disappointed with the lack of faith shown by the people in these places, and compares them to pagan cities – like Tyre, Sidon and Sodom – whose people would be more likely to accept him as saviour than these were. At other times, Jesus had praised the faith of the Roman centurion, the Phoenician woman and the Samaritan woman – all of them pagans.

It is obvious that Jesus was popular as a healer. The Gospels speak of the crowds which mobbed him, demanding that he cure their sick. But the relationship of most people ended there, it didn’t go further. Again and again, Jesus invited the people to a personal relationship, to place their trust in him and to live according to his values. But the Jewish people were really not interested.

Some of them from the establishment, like the scribes and Pharisees, felt that Jesus was subverting the Law, misleading the ordinary folk, and were hostile to him. Most of the others, peasants and townsfolk, were glad enough to benefit from his healing ministry, but couldn’t be bothered when it came to changing their lives.

Whether in ancient times or today, human nature hasn’t changed very much. For the most part it remains self-centred, acquisitive and evasive of any serious commitment.