Hardheartedness

Mk. 6: 56

And wherever he came, in villages, cities, or countryside, they laid the sick in the marketplaces and implored him that they might touch even the fringe of his garment. And as many as touched it were made well.

Such power! The disciples had been with Him day and night, yet did they really understand who He was or what the implications of knowing Him meant. Jesus had put the disciples in a boat while He went up a mountain to pray. When evening came, the waters became rough, so rough that the disciples had trouble controlling the boat. At the 4th watch of the night, Jesus came to them walking on the water. Immediately they thought He was a ghost and were terrified. But He spoke to them, Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid. And after he got in the boat with them, the wind ceased. Even though they were astounded, their hearts were hardened. So close to Jesus and yet so far away! 

So what was their problem? It's hard to understand. Of course I am looking backward in hindsight. I know He is the Son of God. I know about the cross and the resurrection, but they don't. When Jesus calmed the storm earlier, they struggled with faith vs. fear, but this time, their struggle was faith vs. fear vs.hardheartedness. They saw Jesus as a miracle worker, but not as the Son of God, not as deity. 

Immediately before getting in the boat, the disciples had seen Him feed the 5000. Even in the face of this miracle followed by the calming of the wind, their hearts were hardened. How is this possible? Or is it revealing of the heart condition of the crowd. If the disciples didn't understand, how could the crowd? Were they following Jesus just for healing and food? Obviously, or they wouldn't have turned on Him on His crucifixion day and chanted alongside the others.The human heart has to witness more than miracles, it must be drawn by the Spirit of God and renewed by the hand of God. It is only this new heart that can see through outside events and see the truth on the inside, to see the truth about this great miracle worker, Jesus, the Son of God.

Father,

Thank You for drawing me to Yourself and giving me new life. Guard me heart from any foothold that hardheartedness might have. Help me to know You more and more each day.

In Jesus name,

Amen