Ok, the Scripture here have bothered me for years:

1)  “But I tell you that men will give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken.  For by your words you will be acquitted and by your words, you will be condemned” (Mt 12:36) Disturbing.  ‘Nuff said.

2)  “The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him” (Mt 12:35).  What is stored up in my heart?  Right now in this moment as I’m irritated at someone, there are some very ugly things stored up in my heart that are coming out in my thoughts.  Not good.

3)  “The men of Jonah will stand up at the judgment…” (Mt 12:41)  I can’t make a theology of it, but this isn’t the first time that judgment is referenced to by whole groups of people, and not just individuals.  It’s unthinkable in our individualistic culture and could make a case against this, but the culture of the Bible was more group centered and we can also make a case of judgment against groups of people.  And so this verse and the others, “Woe to you Korazin!”  “Woe to you Bethsaida!”   “And you Capernaum.” tend to scare me a little.

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Memorized:  Matthew 12:33-45 (Jan 22)