Without Excuse

“The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and, behold, a greater Jonah is here. The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater Solomon is here.” Matthew 12:41-42

Consider the contrasts illustrated here. The exceedingly powerful and wicked people of Nineveh repented upon hearing the dismal preaching of Jonah, and the powerful and wealthy queen of Sheba journeyed a great distance with no assurance of her reception to merely hear the wisdom of Solomon. Christ, speaking to His earthly generation, says the people of Nineveh and their testimony of repentance, and the queen of Sheba and her testimony of belief, will rise in judgment and condemn those who reject the Gospel. In the words of Matthew Henry, “Christ wrought abundance of miracles, and all miracles of mercy: yet the Ninevites repented at the preaching of Jonah, but the Jews were not wrought upon by Christ’s preaching.” Consider how this might apply today in American culture and our obstinacy of the Gospel. We have indeed enjoyed an abundance of miracles of mercy. Regarding the queen of Sheba, Matthew Henry says “she came from the uttermost parts of the earth, but we have Christ among us, and his word nigh us. She could only hear Solomon’s wisdom; he could not give her wisdom; but Christ will give wisdom to those who come to him.” Furthermore, “She had no invitation to come to Solomon, nor any promise of being welcome; but we are invited to Christ, to sit at his feet and hear his word. She could not be sure that it would be worth her while to go so far on this errand; but we come not to Christ upon such uncertainties.”

We are indeed without excuse. The greater Jonah is here. The greater Solomon is here. “Behold, I stand at the door and knock” (Revelation 3:20).