Word@Work 080 - Mark 6:52-56
Published: Tue, 03/11/08
Word@Work from BeaconLight
Read Mark 6:52-56 They were completely amazed, for they had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened. When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret and anchored there. As soon as they got out of the boat, people recognised Jesus. They ran throughout that whole region and carried the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. And wherever he went--into villages, towns or countryside--they placed the sick in the market-places. They begged him to let them touch even the edge of his cloak, and all who touched him were healed. (NIV)
The last verse from yesterday and the first today reveals the disciples' problem: their hearts were hardened ... like hard skin on a well worn surface, yet incapable of feeling. Hardness of heart was the problem of the Old Testament church - they knew the truth but did not feel that it was really for them. They heard Jesus preaching God's truth but somehow it was not for them to act upon.
By contrast the sick and their carers had no doubt that Jesus could heal as well as telling amazing stories about God's kingdom. The text indicates the urgency of faith "... as soon as ... people recognised Jesus ... they ran ... carried the sick to wherever ... they begged ... all who touched were healed". So why were the disciples so slow to join this outpouring of faith? How easily they became like the hypocritical Pharisees, knowing but failing to act - the sure route to hardness of heart.
Abuse your skin and, after the blister, a callus appears. Abuse your heart and after a while it will fail to respond to the call of God or to delight in the grace of God. Yet how many who acknowledge the cross, are not submitted to it. We may see the gross effects in friends whose persistent rebellions against Gospel, wisdom and conscience has left them with no desire nor ability to trust the truth they know. We may even find it in ourselves, when we know the truth but fail to do it. So we may miss the blessing while others with less knowledge of Jesus are glad to receive it. Tragic! Time to repent!
Prayer: Dear Father. I am sorry for treating my relationship with You so casually. Please forgive me for using You rather than obeying what you say. Please cleanse me and soften my heart to receive and act upon Your Word. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
You can read more of this Bible passage online - in English and other languages - share the Bible with your friends!
The last verse from yesterday and the first today reveals the disciples' problem: their hearts were hardened ... like hard skin on a well worn surface, yet incapable of feeling. Hardness of heart was the problem of the Old Testament church - they knew the truth but did not feel that it was really for them. They heard Jesus preaching God's truth but somehow it was not for them to act upon.
By contrast the sick and their carers had no doubt that Jesus could heal as well as telling amazing stories about God's kingdom. The text indicates the urgency of faith "... as soon as ... people recognised Jesus ... they ran ... carried the sick to wherever ... they begged ... all who touched were healed". So why were the disciples so slow to join this outpouring of faith? How easily they became like the hypocritical Pharisees, knowing but failing to act - the sure route to hardness of heart.
Abuse your skin and, after the blister, a callus appears. Abuse your heart and after a while it will fail to respond to the call of God or to delight in the grace of God. Yet how many who acknowledge the cross, are not submitted to it. We may see the gross effects in friends whose persistent rebellions against Gospel, wisdom and conscience has left them with no desire nor ability to trust the truth they know. We may even find it in ourselves, when we know the truth but fail to do it. So we may miss the blessing while others with less knowledge of Jesus are glad to receive it. Tragic! Time to repent!
Prayer: Dear Father. I am sorry for treating my relationship with You so casually. Please forgive me for using You rather than obeying what you say. Please cleanse me and soften my heart to receive and act upon Your Word. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
You can read more of this Bible passage online - in English and other languages - share the Bible with your friends!
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