Mark 6:51-52 Then he climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down. They were completely amazed, for they had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened.
We have all heard the term a “Hard Heart,” and sometimes, we have most likely suffered from this disorder. So, the question on everyone’s mind is: if I have a hard heart, how do I soften it? The answer is a clear resounding; you can’t do that; the only one that can accomplish that task is Christ Jesus. With that said, let us investigate this Hard Heart matter from God’s perspective, from God’s Holy Word.
The story behind this verse of scripture in Mark 6 happened when the Disciples were on the water, and a strong wind made it hard to oar their boat. As they were straining at the oars, no doubt wondering where Jesus was, they saw Him walking towards the boat, walking on the water. Earlier that day, a large crowd of over 5000 people had come to hear Jesus teach, and the disciples desired to send them away because they did not have enough food to feed them. So, we are all familiar with the story, Jesus took five loaves and two fish, giving thanks to heaven, and fed the large crowd. Even 12 baskets full of leftovers to provide for the disciples for the next couple of days. But you might wonder what in the world does this has to do with a Hard Heart. When Jesus got into the boat, the disciples were amazed, and then Mark tells us that because of their Hard Hearts, they had not understood about the loaves that fed the large crowd earlier that day.
One’s Heart is not hard because they hate Jesus; the disciples must have developed a love for their master by this time. However, a lack of understanding of who Jesus is and what He can do for all people can harden a heart. So many things in life can cause a hardened heart. Not that all who have a hard heart are in these categories because the list is extensive.
We will not go over this long list of reasons and causes of a Hard Heart; we will jump right to the antidote. No gauge can tell us for sure that I have a hard heart; you will know that for yourself. As stated earlier, the only one that can soften your Heart is Christ Jesus (Romans 9:18; Acts 2:37). The above verses answer the question: How do I get past a Hard Heart? The Word of God has that and all answers; however, there is no index that one can look at and say, to relieve a Hard Heart is found in so and so section, on page whatever.
The Word of God is the loaves that the Disciples did not understand earlier in our story. Jesus was right there with them, speaking the Word of God. We have the printed Word of God, but they are the same. The compelling power that turned two fish and 12 loaves of bread into enough food to feed 5000 people with some leftover was on that hillside that day and is accessible to all people through the Bible. The most vital force and most significant power known to humankind is the power of the Holy Spirit that we as believers have inside of us. The Holy Spirit of God has the power to change lives, to readjust one’s eternal destination, and to give us the knowledge, through our faith, that God will never leave us or forsake us, that we will be with him for all eternity. He can also soften the hardest of hearts; the writer of this commentary is a prime example. God will take a Heart of stone and replace it with a heart of flesh. This procedure is not minor heart surgery; it is a complete heart transplant (Ezekiel 36:26).
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