[Jesus] said to them… “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
How does Jesus overcome hardened hearts and resistance in His people? Here are three ways.
1. Jesus is patient with you.
“Do you not yet perceive or understand?… And don’t you remember?” (8:17-18).
There was no instant solution to the hardness of the disciples and there probably won’t be for you either. What can Christ do through people who mess up this many times? Paul says, “If we are faithless, he remains faithful— for he cannot deny himself” (2 Tim. 2:13). Think about His great patience with you and it will soften your heart.
2. Jesus will come to you.
“He saw that they were making headway painfully… he came to them, walking on the sea” (Mark 6:48).
Christ will not stand at a distance when you are struggling in the darkness. He will come to you, and He will bring strength: “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid” (6:50).
3. Jesus will defend you.
“Why do your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat with defiled hands?” (7:5).
The Pharisees criticise the disciples, but Christ defends them. That’s what He does for us before the Father. Satan accuses you. Christ defends you. He is not ashamed to call us His brothers and sisters (Heb. 2:11).
As a Christian, you will be battling sin and unbelief all your life. Christ is patient with you. Christ will come to you. Christ will defend you.
How will you respond to this Christ? Will you go on resenting what He has allowed in your life? Or will you humbly accept His overwhelming mercy, grace, patience, compassion, and love?
