Putting It Together

The verse jumped out at me this morning. The apostles in the boat (Mark 6) were in the last year of Jesus' ministry, having experienced enumerable miracles at his hands, and had recently seen him feed 5000 men with a few loaves and fishes, an act of creation, and Jesus and Peter walking on water. As Peter and Jesus get into the boat, the wind immediately is calm. Then these words: "...they were greatly astonished for they had not gained any insight from the incident of the loaves, but their hearts were hardened." (Mark 6:50-51, NASB)  The word insight literally means to put it together. It is most often translated understand.

Paul says in Romans 3:11 that no one understands. In Luke 24:45 Jesus had to open the minds of the Emmaus disciples so they could understand the Scriptures that spoke of him. It is hard for us humans to put things together, to graps things, to get it. I remember one sister I taught telling me that "now I get it" when she grew up hearing it. Another sister told me the gap between head and heart was so large that it was hard to get it. We both were excited when we saw her tears flow as she grasped the truths of Scripture. She got it. Jesus told stories that people saw and heard but did not get. Why is it so hard to get it? Jesus says the problem is hardness or dullness of heart. It is not an intellectual problem like when we just can't get math. It is a heart problem.

What did Jesus really expect from the apostles in this setting? Was he reacting to their atonishment? Should they have stopped being astonished at his miracles? Should we reach the point where we are not amazed at a sunset, or a butterfly, or a provision he gives, or forgiveness for another sin we have committed? I don't think that is it. They were amazed at his power and rightly so, but Jesus' power was not meant to merely elicit wonder; it was meant to be implemented in our lives. His power and his words are not meant to be observed. They are meant to be assimilated into our lives.

Steaks are not meant to be stared at. They are meant to be eaten. We do not admire seeds. We plant them and watch them grow within the soil to see what God will do. Even though Peter was somewhat unsuccessful in his attempt to walk on water, he did get out of the boat and became a participant in the power of God. He was getting it. Too many in Jesus' day merely wanted to see another "trick." They liked the show but did not want to leave their seats and join Jesus on stage. The only way we will "get it" is if we allow his power and his teachings to work in our lives. Truth is put together in obedience.