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Articles
Sackcloth and Ashes
Let's notice in Matt.11:20-24, "Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not: Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you. And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee." Notice that Jesus was upbraiding (3679: to defame, i.e. rail at, chide, taunt) the people for their failure to repent. They could have and should have been convinced and convicted by those mighty miraculous works that Jesus had performed in their midst. Jesus says Tyre and Sidon, Gentile cities would have repented had these deeds had been done in their midst and would have repented in "sackcloth and ashes." Sackcloth is a cloth made from camels or goats hair. It is a rough and not pleasant to the skin. But a person in deep mourning would evidence their godly sorrow by putting on sackcloth, and ashes would be used in connection to this grief and sorrow. Deep humility would be necessary in connection with godly sorrow and repentance. Such outward signs are not required today, but godly sorrow is a requirement to bring about repentance, for repentance is absolutely essential. "For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death." 2 Cor.7:10.
