Soften us God

Genesis 43:16 When Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the steward of his house, "Take these men to my house, slaughter an animal and prepare dinner; they are to eat with me at noon."

This just kind of reminded me of the story of the prodigal son. I know it was custom to share a meal like this, yet I find it odd that they still dont recognize their brother. They were frightened at the prospect of going to eat with Joseph. Joseph was an emotional mess. News of his father still being alive and well, seeing his baby brother (of his own mother). The love Joseph has for his family in light of they did to him...is an awesome picture of Christ's forgiveness, and love that separates us from our sin and is a great example for us as we deal with sinners.

MArk 6:52for they had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened. (Speaking of the disciples)

I was a little confused by this figure of speech.....and hardened in this instance refers to their thinking being dominated by the natural ways of the culture, rather than being opened to the supernatural way that Christ fed 5000 (men). The disciples were confused and frightened by Jesus because they were SO concerned with themselves and their possible peril, and trying to think about the natural ways of being saved.....rather than Jesus supernaturally saving them, much like he had just supernaturally fed all those men, that they didnt understand what they had just experienced AND they were confused and scare of Jesus outside the boat.

Are our hearts hardened toward miracles? DO we not see miracles because we are so focussed on the 'natural (man's) way' things take place? You get sick, you go to a doctor, he gives medicine, you are cured or die.... yet in places where the Gospel is new and fresh, God manifest himself in miracles, healings, in supernatural ways. DO we simply write off miracles, the manifestations of the Holy Spirit, because they aren't natural in todays society. I believe that if we truly asked God to soften us to the point of being open to miracles...... we would see more of the supernatural things God is doing.