While on a boat with His disciples in Mark 8:1-20, Jesus used an example of unleavened bread to share a lesson with His disciples about sins’ ability to spread so they may be watchful as not to end up like the Pharisees who were so focused on religion and not a sincere relationship with God. Instead of hearing and understanding what Jesus was trying to teach them, they worried about forgetting to bring bread on the boat.
Now, you have to realize Jesus had previously turned a few loaves of bread into many to feed thousands. So not only are the disciples not hearing the teaching Jesus desires to share with them, but they are also worried about something that Jesus had already proven he can take care of. Jesus then asks:
“Why are you discussing the fact that you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive or understand? Are your hearts hardened? Having eyes do you not see, and having ears do you not hear? And do you not remember? (Mark 8:17-18 ESV)
The disciple’s misunderstanding of not only the teaching of Jesus, but also who He was to them hardened their hearts. When we don’t have a grasp of who God is and His ability to impact our lives, our hearts become hard. The cure of this type of hard heart is to not only hear God’s Word, but to understand it and live it. Allow His truth to actually transform your life. Don’t only be near Jesus in action but have a sincere relationship with Him. Today, I encourage you to trust God’s track record of faithfulness to you and who He is.
Dear Heavenly Father, please soften my heart so that I can be transformed by You and Your love. Help me to focus on who You are and your steadfast goodness in my life. In Jesus’ name, amen.