(Mark 6:45-52 ESV)
The people were amazed.
The disciples didn't get. We learn this is verse 52 of today's reading. "for they did not understand about the loaves".
I have to admit I don't get it. I read it and I know the story well as I was taught it in Sunday School. It's still amazing that Jesus did that and I know he's God.
The disciples didn't get it because "their hearts were hardened".
That makes me think of myself or my boy child when we are frustrated or upset. We don't always hear everything, we are so caught up in the moment that the facts don't always make sense to us. We both need to stop and think.
I wonder if the disciples were afraid and that's why their hearts were hardened. They were still getting to know this Jesus. Learning from her, following him, spending time with him, that the act of feeding so many people from such a small amount of food made them realize just how big God was and it was simply too much for them. I don't know that, it's just speculation.
BUT the result was this.
The disciples WERE afraid.
They see Jesus walking on the water and they thought he was a ghost and cried out with fear.
Jesus did what Jesus does. Instead of continuing along his way, he met their fear and he addressed it. He came to them and calmed them.
He told them "Take heart, it is I, don't be afraid".
Don't those words just calm your heart?
When you are in the midst of trouble, wouldn't those words just settle your spirit? I know they do mine. When I'm frightened or feeling overwhelmed Jesus says to me "Peace child, I am here"..... and it's better. It is!
It makes me wonder sometimes if fear is what hardens our hearts. I know that God can cause our hearts to be hard. I know that. The bible tells me this. BUT would God harden the hearts of those who are following his Son? That makes no sense to me.
But the disciples did have hard hearts. They didn't understand this Jesus they were following, he was so different than all the other teachers, and he called them out of their lives and into his and it really makes me wonder if fear was a big part of it.
This leads me to think that we need to get through our fear and call out to God when we need him.
Whether it's the fear of loss of control.
Fear of new things, change in our hearts and therefore our lives.
Fear of... whatever it is.
Just let go of the fear.
Don't let the heart be hardened.
Accept the calmness and peace that Jesus brings.
Just call out to him and let him calm your heart.