HE CAME TO FULFILL - COMMISSIONING AND MINISTRY: CALLOUSED HEART

The message Messiah was to bring was to make the hearts of the Jews calloused. Harden-hearted they were to become and not be able to receive the message of salvation. As it was prophesied, so it was, as Paul explained to the Jews in Rome in Acts 28: 25-29 (NIV). 

The word dull (nothros) carries the idea of being lazy, slothful, or hard of hearing. So at one time, they were eager and hungry to hear and obey, but over time they became dull of hearing and could no longer grasp deep truths or follow them. Yeshua’s words carried a lot of deep truths, and He purposefully taught in parables. Because their hearts have become cold over time, cold towards the Word of God, they could not recognize Him even when He was right before them. 

They could not recognize His voice. They rejected the life-giving word and crucified Yeshua on the cross. And the more He healed people the more they rejected Him. The more hardened they became. Until they crucified Him. 

But we need not worry, for those who are His sheep hear His voice. And no other do they follow. And He comes and dwells within us and empowers us to fulfill all that we are tasked to do. Still, let us not grow stale but practice by remaining in His presence as much as possible. 

In the end, Israel shall rise too. For it was said that they all of Israel shall be saved. They shall be restored spiritually and return home physically. Once more their ears will be in tune to hear the voice of the Lord.