From: February 23, 2026
“And he got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased. And they were utterly astounded, for they did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened.” (Mark 6:51–52 ESV)
Mark recorded that when Jesus climbed into the disciples’ boat and calmed the wind, they were completely overwhelmed with amazement. He explained that their astonishment revealed something deeper—they had not understood the miracle of the loaves because their hearts were hardened. This was striking, considering who they were. Earlier, Jesus had sent them out to preach the kingdom, and they had returned with a glowing report (6:30). They had personally distributed and eaten the multiplied bread from the five loaves and two fish. They had just seen Jesus walk upon the sea. Yet despite privileged participation in Christ’s ministry, they still suffered from hardness of heart.
Mark’s description differed from Pharaoh’s hardened heart in Exodus. Pharaoh’s hardness was judicial—a stubborn rebellion in which God eventually gave him over to the very defiance he had repeatedly chosen. The disciples’ hardness, however, was not defiant rejection but spiritual dullness. They were insiders who loved Jesus, yet they were slow to perceive the fullness of who He was. Their hearts were not hostile, but they were insensitive and uncomprehending.
We see ourselves in the disciples. We may follow Christ, serve in His name, witness His provision, and still struggle with dullness of heart. Familiarity with His works does not guarantee spiritual sensitivity. Indeed, it may breed the opposite. Yet the cure for a hard heart is not to work even harder, but divine renewal. As God promised through the prophet Ezekiel, “I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh” (Ez. 36:26). The same Jesus who stepped into the boat and stilled the storm is able to step into our lives and soften what has grown calloused and dull. He replaces stone with flesh. He transforms dullness into devotion. In Him we find the cure for a hard heart.
PRAYER: Dear Father, we confess that our hearts can grow dull even while walking with You. Soften us where we have become insensitive. Remove every trace of hardness within us and give us tender hearts that see and believe. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: February 23, 2025
“The apostles returned to Jesus and told him all that they had done and taught” (Mark 6:30 ESV).
When the disciples returned from where Christ had sent them out two-by-two on mission, they reported to Him what they had done and taught. They must have been thrilled to give their mission report to Jesus. For He was their Captain and their Friend. What joy they must have had to tell Him everything! Can’t you just hear Him tell them with a smile, “Yes, yes, I know you’re excited, but please only one at a time.”
When our church sends out mission teams to another city or country, we always look forward to hearing their mission report. They usually bring back stories with photos and souvenirs of their journey. Amazing life change is often reported, not only with those they ministered to, but especially to the members of the team that went.
I wonder what it will be like on that Day when all of us who believe are standing before the Bema seat of Christ. What will your mission report to Christ be like when you tell Him what you have done and taught?
PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You for sending Your Son to us. Just as You sent Him, He has sent us. Strengthen us to do and to teach what Christ has commissioned us to do. May we hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant” from Him on that Day. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: February 23, 2024
“He shall take the live bird with the cedarwood and the scarlet yarn and the hyssop, and dip them and the live bird in the blood of the bird that was killed over the fresh water” (Leviticus 14:6 ESV).
Why does God’s Word contain laws concerning leprosy? The laws in Leviticus are in three categories: 1) Moral, 2) Ceremonial and 3) Civil. Moral laws are perpetual, revealing the character of God and showing us how to treat both God and man. Ceremonial laws have to do with temple worship, holy days, and the sacrificial system. Civil laws have the effect of setting the Jews apart as God’s peculiar people. The leprosy laws fall into the last two categories, they both preserve the holiness of corporate worship and protect the civil community from communicable disease.
Yet, within these laws there are spiritual signs that point to Christ. Consider the elements of the law of the leper for the day of his cleansing: two birds, cedar wood, scarlet and hyssop.
– The leper: signifies the sinful condition of humanity without Christ.
– The two birds: This points to the union of the two natures in Christ, both human and divine. The one sacrificed and its blood shed points to His crucifixion and death. The one let loose points to His resurrection and ascension.
– The cedar wood: This points to the cross itself.
– The scarlet yarn: The color of the robe the Roman soldiers put on Christ and mocked Him (Matt. 27:28).
– The hyssop: The Roman soldiers lifted a sponge filled with sour wine with a hyssop branch to Christ on the cross (John 19:28-30).
Leviticus is rich with spiritual meaning and metaphor when we read it through the lens of Christ and the New Testament.
PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You for Christ and the gospel. Reading Leviticus makes us thankful that Christ has fulfilled the law, so that we can trust in His perfect sacrifice for our sins. Strengthen us to proclaim Christ to the nations. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: February 23, 2023
“The apostles returned to Jesus from their ministry tour and told him all they had done and taught” (Mark 6:30 NLT).
When the disciples returned from where Christ had sent them out two-by-two on mission, they reported to Him what they had done and taught. They must have been thrilled to give their ministry report to Jesus. For He was their Captain and their Friend. What joy they must have had to tell Him everything! Can’t you just hear Him tell them with a smile, “Yes, yes, I know you’re excited, but please only one at a time.”
When our church sends out mission teams to another city or country, we always look forward to hearing their mission report. They usually bring back stories with photos and souvenirs of their journey. Amazing life change is often reported, not only with those they ministered to, but especially to the members of the team that went.
I wonder what it will be like on that Day when all of us who believe are standing before the Bema seat of Christ. What will your mission report to Christ be like when you tell Him what you have done and taught?
PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You for sending Your Son to us. Just as You sent Him, He has sent us. Strengthen us to do and to teach what Christ has commissioned us for. May we hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant” from Him on that Day. In Jesus’ name, amen.