July 19, 2015
Sunday

“Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. After saying farewell to them, he went up on the mountain to pray. When evening came, the boat was out on the sea, and he was alone on the land. When he saw that they were straining at the oars against an adverse wind, he came towards them early in the morning, walking on the sea. He intended to pass them by. But when they saw him walking on the sea, they thought it was a ghost and cried out; for they all saw him and were terrified. But immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.” Then he got into the boat with them and the wind ceased. And they were utterly astounded…” Mark 6:45-51

“The story of Jesus walking on the water is a continuation of the feeding story and is even starker in describing the disciples as being “terrified,” “astounded” and still not getting it. 6:52 has this heartbreaking verdict: “for they did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened.” 

Their hearts were hardened! The same verdict is rendered against the disciples after the next feeding story of the 4,000 (see 8:17). How quickly “the Apostles” fell from teaching and doing, from needing restoration, from crossing the sea to escape the crowds, to failing to understand, to being terrified at the sight of Jesus, to ridiculing Jesus’ proposition that they feed the masses, to having callused hearts. The same dynamic takes place when Peter makes his confession, then quickly becomes “Satan.” It happens when Jesus takes Peter, James, and John to pray in the garden and they fall asleep. It happens when they all forsake him and flee. 

Mark is relentless in demonstrating how the twelve failed their calling to understand and to participate in Jesus’ good news about the Reign of God.” “Left Behind and Loving It” July 17, 2012

“Their hearts were hardened.” I have been in the church all of my life. I have seen people whose hearts were gladdened by the Good News of Jesus — and I have seen people who you would think never understood that the story of Jesus is “Good” News — which should lead us to lives of ministry, and serving people with a joyful heart. Just like the disciples, being around Jesus does not always make people happy, nor encourage them to have joyful hearts instead of hardened hearts. I guess what I have learned is this: we have to work just as hard to work on the hardened hearts of believers as unbelievers. Just as we are incredulous that the disciples are slow to understand and live in the joy of their master, I have been incredulous at the lack of joy in many people in the church today. Why do we lack joy? Usually it has everything to do with life, and nothing to do with the church — but it comes out most evidently in the church.

Lord, today, I pray that you will help me to be joyful, to see joy in all that you have given and blessed me with, and to share that joy with others.

Pastor Dave