Mark

Hardness of Heart

One of the other areas we will cover in Mark is hardness of Heart, what does this term really mean?
It is use in this book on four occasions, this will be the main theme of what I will address in this section, but I would like to highlight something I have come to understand, in overview of this book.
The Jesus that Mark portrays is not after the crowd, in fact on many occasions he does his best to get away from the crowd and even avoid them, it was the multitudes that are thronging him, notice again the signs and wonders and miracles were not for the disciples benefit, it was for the sick, the unsaved, the Jews to demonstrate Gods power to save, for just as Moses was given two signs in particular, so was Jesus confirming the gospel with signs and wonders.
So different to the church today, it is the Christians today that seek signs and wonders, they will travel miles too see a miracle man, when really we should not be following signs but signs should be following us.
Signs will only follow us when we follow Jesus!
When we truly get Jesus the multitudes will throng us, the crowd desires Jesus
What a wake up call this book is, it is so busy, are we busy enough, the are words like they did not have time to have lunch, they were so tired they would fall asleep in boats, deep sleep.
Hardness of Heart what does this mean? It is mentioned firstly in Mark 6:51-52

Now we have read that we need to read the Previous verses to get the full understanding, I am so disappointed when preachers just use one verse and manipulate it to endorse their pet doctrine or belief, but what you must do is read the preceding verses read the text, you will find there is a build up.
We will read Mark 6:35-44

One of most talked about miracles along with the walking on the water.

Lets analyze this; they are too, far from the shops in the villages, there isn't any transport apart from the foot mobile, British rail is not their, and if it was probably the train would be canceled, or running late.
The problem is if they walk home the journey too far to go without supper, Jesus uses the term in the King James "lest they faint by the way "
Notice this and take this point, the miracle is not staged at the Albert hall or Wembley stadium, the miracle is going to come out of need, miracles only come out of need, there was not any other way to feed such a multitude but by a miracle, Jesus is not a show off, even the walking on the water was out of need.
So that means I cannot book a hall, send leaflets to people advertise and tell everyone to come and see a miracle that is presumptuous, Miracles work through the sovereign grace of God, and usually when you do not expect them.

All they have is five loaves and two fishes, at best that could feed 5-10 people, and to be honest for some, that would be just enough for one.
They blessed the bread and gave it out
Everyone had with left over.
Notes on the book of Mark

Let me highlight something, when you are feeding these kind of people that are working class and even lower, these kind of people, will eat as if they are storing up for a week, for there to be left overs there must have been a lot of food.
Let me tell God can provide for you, and not just your needs there will also be left overs, enough to bless others.
David said my cup is full and running over.
Now we will get to the point hardness of Heart
Here are the disciples after such a miracle, struggling in the storm, on the same sea that gave them problems in chapter 4 when Jesus falls asleep in the boat wakes up and stills the storm, why should they worry Jesus is in control.
You see many have the wrong Idea about hardness of heart, many believe it means that you are a harsh mean person, this is not so
The Greek word is poroor impregnable like a stone, callous a bit like when you're a labourer on a building site your skin on the palms of your hands get thicker, and tough.
Many think it only relates to sinners, you could not be further from the truth
To be hard hearted in biblical terms is to witness Gods Miracle power, his healing or his deliverance and not understand, it just does hit home or the penny doe not drop.
If I saw a miracle like that, I would never doubt again.
A God that can feed nearly fifteen thousand can provide a Job for me, this God can take care of my finances, and this God can purchase a house for me.
Let's look at another verse again in Mark 8:14-21

They witness another miracle 4000 men 7 loaves and a few small fishes.
They witness all these things, and still doubt Gods ability to provide
This came about because they did not bring enough bread, and their was an argument, some were saying it's your fault, no Thomas or Didimus, it's your fault.
Jesus can't believe, you are worried about not having enough bread, did you not just witness thousands fed, and why are you worried.
In verse 21 he gives the key how is it that you do not understand?

Unbelief is the greatest enemy to the Christian, not sin but the root of sin which is unbelief, Jesus said that he would convict the world of sin because they believe not.
The sin in the wilderness for the Israelites in the time of Moses was unbelief, the writer of Hebrews picks it up in the end of chapter 3 it accuses them of having a hard heart and not pressing into the promise.
Hardness of heart is the inability to trust and believe God, after seeing his miraculous power in provision and deliverance.

I am going to give you the cure for hard heartedness,
Every disease has a cure or a vaccine.

David discovered the vaccine psalms 103 bless the name of the Lord and do not forget his benefits.
The cure is to reflect on Gods goodness, remind yourself of his provision, open your heart to him believe him, build on your past deliverances and breakthroughs.
Declare his acts of Grace mention them always, Bless the Lord
When you are facing a problem Bless his name Declare that he is able.
David knew the secret that is why Davidic worship is not really old testament, it is new testament, he was a man out of his time, stop looking at what God is not doing for you and Look at what the Lord has done and Praise Him!
David Knew how to build on past victories, he said the god that delivered me from the bear and the lion, and what is this uncircumcised philistine, or Palestinian, that is what the name roots from.
Why do you doubt God, in areas of your life, reflect on his goodness, God did it before and he can do it again.
The fact that this hardness of heart is mentioned throughout this Gospel means that it was a recurring problem with the disciples, I am afraid to say it is also a recurring problem with us.
What an earth are you worried about, We have a loving father in Heaven
Jesus used this term why are you fearful!
Let us build our faith on what God has done in the past for it shows us what God can do in the future and right now for us.
Trust God, the Proverbial writer says that we should trust in the Lord in with all our hearts and lean not to our own understanding.