How Some "Christians" Never Hear Jesus!

So I don't think your going to get let down this week by what will be asked of your heart! Looking into this passage in Mark 3 was a real eye opener for me and the students at study. Before we read our passage, let me give you a little background...

At the start of Mark 3 we see some very strange cultural things, a clear biblical warning to pay attention. For starters, we find a man with a withered hand in the synagogue. To us that seems clearly not something to worry about. However, this man would not be normally permitted into the synagogue because he was "unclean."This term means that he was not fit to be in a worship environment because of his condition. 

Crazy right? Whatever the case, he was somehow permitted in this day. After you read the first verses, you'll get an uneasy feeling that he was a plant in the service to trap Jesus. Jesus is caught in the crosshairs of a Pharisaical ambush! If Jesus heals this man, he would be breaking several Jewish laws and be thought less of.

Jesus however masterfully turn this plot on its head. The part I want to focus on is this. Jesus tells them something, and the bible depicts the hearts of the men, listening very clearly!

Then He said to them, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do what is good or to do what is evil, to save life or to kill? ” But they were silent. After looking around at them with anger and sorrow at the hardness of their hearts, He told the man, “Stretch out your hand.” So he stretched it out, and his hand was restored. Immediately the Pharisees went out and started plotting with the Herodians against Him, how they might destroy Him. Mark 3:4-6 HCSB

Jesus, basically asks them a question they weren't expecting, in fact never wanted to answer. That word "silent" in the story is the Greek word "esiopon" and it doesn't mean they were currently silent. It's a determined, continual silence. 

Further when Jesus senses their hearts being hard, that Greek word is actually interesting as well! "Porosei" or hardened is actually a medical term for the mending of bone! This is a sense of extreme hardness. 

These two ideas lend the impression that no matter what Jesus said, did, or demonstrated to them... They never had the want, care, or desire to listen. Their minds were made up on him. The only thing they wanted to know was if Jesus was going to do things their way, or His way!!

Now you're thinking, "How dumb can these guys be? Hello, that's only the son of God your dealing with! WAKE UP YOU RELIGIOUS JERKS!" you know the sad news?

I have run into too many Christians who act like these Pharisees and will never admit it! Sometimes we go through the motions in such a way that since we do this or that for God, or since we go to this Church rather than that other one... That God owes us the ability to do things our way. Even when God may be speaking to us about that topic differently.

Because of our religiosity, our hearts are so hard and we remain silent when Jesus asks our hearts something...

Is your heart hard to God's voice today? Is there something in your life Jesus is speaking to you on that you don't care to even think about? Do you get frustrated quickly when God doesn't play by your way of thinking? 

Leave your answer below Beloved, and share this if you were challenged!