Rocks. That's all that's left of the city of Chorazin. Just the rubble of a few buildings made of volcanic rock--yet this was once a thriving city on the Sea of Galilee.

Not far from Chorazin is another pile of rocks--the former city of Capernaum.

Same with Bethsaida. Once a bustling city where children played, men did business, and mothers ran households. Rocks. Nothing but rocks.

When Jesus walked the streets of those cities, He knew this would happen. In Matthew 11:21-23, He said, "Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! . . . And you, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, will be brought down to Hades."

In those cities, Jesus clearly showed Himself to be the Son of God--the One who had almighty power and could perform miracles. But the people refused to listen to His message. As a result, Chorazin, Capernaum, and Bethsaida were cursed by God and reduced to heaps of rocks--monuments to unbelief.

The lesson for us today is clear. When Jesus speaks, we must take His words to heart. In fact, all of Scripture needs to be taken seriously. To disregard God's Word shows a heart of unbelief and will leave our lives in ruins. But to heed its life-giving instruction brings reward and blessing.  — Dave Branon