there is a phrase that occurs a few times (at least 35 on my count) in the bible that causes me to scratch my head.
this week at the upper room we are looking at the miracle of jesus walking on water.
the disciples have recently returned from preaching in pairs; many were healed and delivered. they are tired, so jesus decides to take them away for a little r&r. their plans are foiled when a large crowd gathers on the shore as they arrive for their much needed rest. jesus begins to teach. the day gets late and the people are hungry. the disciples tell jesus to send the people into town so they can go get some food before the markets close up for the night.
'you give them something to eat' was his response. go see how much food you have. five loaves and two fish. jesus prays, breaks bread and the multitude is fed. pretty amazing.
the disciples are still exhausted so jesus sends them back into the boat to head across the lake for some time off.
they get half way across the lake and a storm kicks up. jesus is not with them. what are they going to do? he was on his way to pray on the mountainside.
there in the mist a figure appears...some sort of ghost. the disciples are terrified. then jesus calls out. "take courage! it is i. don't be afraid."
then he climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down. they were completely amazed, and then the bible says "for they had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened."
now i have all sorts of questions about this episode in the life of jesus. but my biggest one is this: "what does it mean to have a hard heart?"
this and more on sunday night at fude,
peace to you,
scott
