Unbelief & Hardened Hearts
Mark 16:9-15, "Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils. And she went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept. And they, when they had heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not. After that he appeared in another form unto two of them, as they walked, and went into the country. And they went and told it unto the residue: neither believed they them. Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen. And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature."
One would think that among all those who knew the Saviour, the Apostles would be the first to believe the report that Jesus had risen from the dead. Yet such was not the case. Had the events surrounding Jesus' betrayal and crucifixion so completely dashed their hope in Christ that it made it hard for them to believe He had risen? Did the reports come from people not officially recognized by the eleven? C.I. Scofield writes concerning the term "the eleven" in verse 14, it is "A collective term, equivalent to "The Sanhedrin," ... not necessarily implying that eleven persons were present." We know that on this occasion, based upon other passages in the Word that Thomas was absent. The Pulpit Commentary states, "The previous appearances had been to persons not having any official character. But now He appears to the eleven apostles when they were all gathered together at the close of that memorable day. Jesus upbraided them for two reasons; their unbelief and hardness of heart. The word "upbraided" is a very strong word of rebuke. They ought to have received the testimony of competent witnesses. But their doubts were only removed by the evidence of their senses; just as afterward in the case of Thomas.
Are you hardened and unbelieving or are you tender and receptive in faith to God and His Word? All that had happened in the crucifixion had brought hardness and unbelief into the hearts of the Apostles. So hardened and unbelieving had they become that they did not receive the testimony of others who had seen Jesus in His resurrected body. Hardness and unbelief make us slow to respond, it makes us dull of hearing, to the messages that God gives us from others who preach His Word. I pray we will be tender, receptive, and believing when we hear the Word of God. Don't allow the circumstances of life to damage your heart with hardness and unbelief.
Your Friend and HIS,
Pastor Abbott
MEDITATIONS
1. It is vital that our faith rests upon that which is true. In what ways has God taught us that Jesus has risen from the dead?
2. Why did Jesus “upbraid” (revile) the apostles according to this passage? (two reasons)
3. Do you have any unbelief in your heart in relation to God? Explain.
4. Are there any areas of hardness of heart in your life? What should you do to remedy this issue?