What Now? Avoid Sklerokardia!

As I read through the gospel accounts of the Crucifixion and Ressurection this weekend, I kept thinking about what the disciples were thinking after the death of Jesus on the cross.  There is no mention of them until Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother or James and the others that were with them went to the tomb-

When they came back from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the others.Luke 24:10

Mark's gospel states that they were mourning and weeping when the women came to tell them that Jesus was alive and that they did not believe. (Mark 16:10-11)

This must have been the longest 36 hours of their lives...then to hear the news that He was no longer in the grave.  What an emotional roller coaster!  No wonder they didn't believe...it was too much for them to fathom. 

I love Mark's account of  Jesus's reaction when He appeared to them while they were eating-

Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating; he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen. Mark 16:14

But, Jesus has work for us to do...we cannot allow our hearts to become hardened.  Because He lives, we have a part of "The Armor" that shields and protects our hearts-the breastplate of righteousness. 

Dear Lord, As we face the days ahead as your people of Faith, help us avoid "sklerokardia".  Keep our hearts protected with that breastplate as we keep our eyes focused on what you are calling us to do, Love God, Love Others and Share Your Love.  You are Immanuel, God with us!  Amen.
The word for stubborn (sklerokardia) means hardness of heart.  In a very short period of time, the disciples heart had become hardened. It appears that the same reaction could occur today when we receive news that seems unfair or experience a sudden change in our lives.