The twelve apostles had just returned from an awesome mission trip. They had seen the power that God had given them at work so that God cast out demons and healed diseases through them. Jesus wanted them to get away, perhaps so they could decompress and reflect on the power of God that they had experienced firsthand. Unfortunately, their retreat was caught short as the crowds followed them on foot and met them when they got to shore. This sets up another miracle for Jesus as he feeds the 5000 men (plus however many women and children) with just five loaves and two fish. After this, the disciples see Jesus walk on water, and calm the wind.
Mark next makes an interesting commentary, he says that the disciples were astounded. He says they did not understand the ramifications of what Jesus had done with the loaves of bread, otherwise the walking on water and calming the wind would not have astounded them. Then Mark says, they did not understand because their hearts were hardened. They still did not see Jesus for who he was, even after preaching on his behalf and performing miracles on their own, and seeing him feed the 5000+, walk on water, and calm the wind.
This makes me think. Is my heart hardened to all of who Jesus is? Do I really see him as the Word that is God? Do I even see the Father as God or do I grasp what that means that there is an infinite, powerful, and holy God?
I think many decisions I make from day to day reveal that in many ways my heart is hardened as well.
Father, melt my heart, open my eyes of my heart to know all of you that you are willing to reveal. Don’t let my heart be hardened so that I miss out on the blessing of experiencing your glory. Especially, when it comes to fear. As I get older, I worry more about my health, my finances, my children, my career. Worry and fear is a symptom of a hardened heart.
Mark 6:50–52
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