The Father's Hand

Hardness of heart, according to Mark, is the antagonist of faith. Chapter 3 is the first mention of the condition, and it is in reaction to the Pharisees’ hardness of heart. In chapter 4 Jesus speaks to the people in parables because they have the same condition. In chapter 6 Jesus first questions the condition of His own disciples’ hearts.

Mark 6:45-52 says the disciples, of whom many were expert fishermen, could not make headway against a ferocious storm. They had been battling for hours, and in the middle of the night they were still only halfway across the lake. They see Jesus who appears intent on walking past them. Hearing their cries, Jesus enters the boat, and the winds immediately cease. Mark begins the conclusion by saying:

“And they were greatly amazed in themselves beyond measure, and marveled.” (vs 51).

No kidding! I’m sure you and I would have responded in the same manner. But I think we get a little understanding of where Mark is going with the phrase, beyond measure. The Greek word is περισσός (perissos), meaning, over and above, more than is necessary. It is even translated vehemently later in Mark (14:31). Mark is saying that the disciples’ reactions were over-the-top even considering the extraordinary nature of this miracle. Why was this? Well, the next verse concludes:

“For they had not understood about the loaves, because their heart was hardened.” (vs 52).

The story of Jesus walking on the water occurs immediately the feeding of the 5000. Mark gives us an A+B=C formula: The disciples’ hearts were hardened (A), therefore they did not understand the meaning of the feeding of the multitude (B), therefore they reacted over-the-top with Jesus walking on the water and calming the storm. An interesting formula, but Mark still doesn’t tell us the root cause. Why were the hearts of the disciples hardened so that they did not understand the feeding of the multitude?

Chapter 8 tells the story of Jesus feeding a slightly smaller multitude – the 4000. Afterwards, Jesus tells the disciples:

“Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and of the leaven of Herod.” (vs 15).

Of course, the disciples misunderstand and think Jesus is reprimanding them for not bringing any bread for the trip. Jesus questions:

“Why do you reason because you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive nor understand? Is your heart still hardened? (vs 17).

Four verses later, Jesus seems bewildered and asks again:

“How is it you do not understand?” (vs 21).

I think the key to understand this entire matter lies in vs 17, “Is your heart still hardened?” We are about halfway through Mark’s gospel. The twelve had seen miraculous provisions of the Father probably on a daily basis. Blinded eyes had been opened, demons cast out, multitudes fed, the dead raised - and Jesus questions if their heart had changed?

Jesus was angry with the hard heart of the Pharisees because their laws wouldn’t allow God to perform good things on the Sabbath. Jesus had compassion on the multitudes because their hearts were hardened due to the cares of this world. Jesus was bewildered with His disciples, that after all the goodness they had seen, their hearts had not softened.

A hard heart blinds us to the goodness of God. However it is wondrous when God opens our eyes to see this goodness. I’m sure that if He opens them enough, then we too, like the disciples, will be able see it on a daily basis. The more I see His goodness, the more I trust Him. The more I see His graciousness, the more I extend my hand for Him to lead me. His love and kindness soften my heart and produce a child-like faith that simply trusts in the Father’s daily provision and knows that wherever He leads me, He will take care of His child with immeasurable kindness.