Quiet Time – 6.10.2016 [Mark 6:7-13]
Hey homies, today I read Mark 6:7-13. We see Jesus sending out His Twelve Apostles out to various places to preach that people should repent whilst also casting out demons and healing sick people as they anoint them with oil.
Today was a story of twelve ordinary people used by an Extraordinary God.
The Twelve
“Calling the Twelve to Him, He sent them out two by two and gave them authority over evil spirits.”
This verse sort of comes out of no where because all we’ve really seen of the twelve disciples is that they haven’t done much. They’ve left behind their jobs and follow Jesus around everywhere but we haven’t seen them do anything really that awesome. That’s the first thing that really struck out to me from this passage. They’re 12 extraordinarily ordinary dudes.
Jesus is calling, sending and equipping 12 absolutely ordinary dudes.
Jesus’ Instructions
Now as Jesus sends these ordinary dudes to go do hectic stuff He also gives them a set of instructions. He essentially tells them to travel super light, no bread, no bag, no money, no extra tunic. Just hop from village to village, find a place to stay and stay there til you leave! Oh… and if no one welcomes or listens to you shake the dust off your feet as you leave as a testimony against them! You’re travelling light but travelling far. What I think Jesus means when He says “shake the dust off your feet when you leave” is about preaching the Gospel and once they’ve done all they can, (i.e When they don’t listen or welcome them) they have freedom to move on and preach the Gospel elsewhere.
Preach the Gospel, get rejected, move on. God will provide what you need.
The Result
“They went out and preached that people should repent. They drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them.”
A short and simple conclusion for how this section ends. It really is pretty interesting how God takes absolutely normal people and uses them to do extraordinary things because honestly before this they’ve done nothing special! And now they’re preaching repentance, driving out demons, anointing and healing sick people! Talk about zero to hero!
Twelve normal people did awesome things not because of how awesome they were but because of the awesome God who empowered and sent them out.
Application
My first application point is follows on from most of what I’ve shared already. I’m just like the twelve disciples. I’m just plain, regular old Popo, not amazing or wonderful in any way but God’s Spirit dwells within me and He has equipped me with His Word as my guide and tool. I can now have confidence because my God has called me, sent me and equipped me. I can have confidence because the ministry that God has put before me does not derive it’s success from how awesome or unawesome I am but instead is grounded in the One who has sent and empowered me. Be bold Mr Extraordinarily Ordinary Popo!
We are ordinary people used by an extraordinary God.
My second application point goes on from the way Jesus instructed His disciples as they went out. There are times where similarly I also won’t be welcomed or listened to as I share the message of Jesus and that’s okay. That’s actually normal. I need to do all I can and move on. Of course this is not an excuse to not be patient and faithful with the non Christians I minister to but there is a place where I am freed up to move on and preach the Gospel elsewhere. I need to be actively praying and trusting God that He will lead me to effective places where He has been working in the hearts of those I talk to about the Gospel.
We will preach the Gospel far and wide. Not everywhere will welcome and accept us and that’s okay. Keep moving on and keep preaching the Gospel.
My third application point sort of comes from a round about way of understanding what Jesus says about moving on. The disciples didn’t bring anything so they needed to rely on the people who took them in. But the problem that I naturally see is what if EVERY town doesn’t take you in? Then you’re stuffed!! Rararara fear, insecurity, I want my control back! But that’s not what happens, they return back in v30 and they seem totally fine. That implies that there were enough towns that DID take them in and DID provide for them. God was clearly taking care of them in that time providing all they needed. Similarly I need to trust that whatever ministry God gives me, most likely in a full-time vocational capacity He will provide the people who will support me in my Gospel ministry prayerfully and financially. This is totally something I’ve been wrestling with recently since I totally feel awkward about asking people to financially support me in ministry.
Let’s trust that God will provide exactly what we need for the ministry He gives us.
“Calling the Twelve to Him, He sent them out two by two and gave them authority over evil spirits.”
– Mark 6:7
Bboy 3:16 - Jesus, Dance, No Turning Back 