In the 1500s, the famous astronomer Galileo Galilei made an extraordinary discovery. Using his telescope, he observed that the Earth was not the center of the universe, but that it revolved around the sun—a concept known as heliocentrism. This finding contradicted the teachings of the Catholic Church at the time, which held to a geocentric view of the universe. Despite overwhelming evidence, the authorities refused to accept Galileo’s findings. They questioned him, not to understand or learn, but to suppress what he had discovered. They were not open to the truth because it threatened their authority and their understanding of the world.

This reflects something that happens in our own spiritual lives. Sometimes, we ask questions not to learn, but to protect our own ideas and beliefs. In Mark 11:27-33, the religious leaders question Jesus, not with an open heart, but with the intention of trapping Him. It’s a lesson for us to examine how we approach God and truth in our lives.

Think about how often we ask questions, not to learn, but to simply question what others have to say and offer and to confirm what we already believe. Psychologists call this confirmation bias, the tendency to seek out information that supports our existing beliefs while ignoring anything that contradicts them. The chief priests and elders in Mark 11:27-33 weren’t truly interested in understanding Jesus’ authority; they were more concerned with protecting their power and control.

In our own lives, we may ask questions like, “God, why is this happening to me?” but inwardly, we already have an answer we want to hear. Instead of seeking God’s wisdom, we sometimes seek validation of our own desires. Just like the religious leaders, we can fall into the trap of closing our hearts to the truth when it threatens to change us.

A closed heart keeps us from growth. In the passage, Jesus didn’t answer the religious leaders because they weren’t open to receiving His answer. Similarly, when we refuse to listen to God or consider His truth, we limit the work He can do in our lives. It’s like a conversation with a friend who only listens to respond but not to understand—no real connection or growth can happen that way.

The same is true with God. If our hearts are closed, we block and severely limit what God can do in our lives, the ways He can challenge us, grow us, and mold us into His likeness.

Here’s a challenge: Is there an area in your life where you’ve been asking God questions, but you’re not truly open to the answer? Maybe it’s a decision about a job, a relationship, or a personal struggle. Are you genuinely willing to hear what God has to say, even if it challenges your current mindset?

This week, ask God an honest question, and instead of seeking a specific answer, be open to whatever He reveals. Approach Him with the humility of knowing that His ways are higher than ours, and His truth might stretch us in ways we hadn’t expected.

Despite our sometimes-closed hearts, God remains patient. He doesn’t force His truth on us but gently waits for the right moment when we’re ready to receive it. Even when we resist, He is always offering us grace and the opportunity to open our hearts more fully to Him. His desire for us is growth, and that growth comes when we are willing to be transformed by His truth.

Let’s take a lesson from both history and scripture. Whether it’s Galileo’s discoveries being rejected or the religious leaders questioning Jesus, we see the cost of closed hearts. Let’s not fall into the same trap in our spiritual lives. Instead, let us ask God with open hearts, ready to hear the truth, even if it challenges or changes us.

Let’s pray for the humility to listen to God’s answers, the courage to face the truth, and the grace to let it transform us. Amen.