ON YOUR MARK: WEEK 6 DAY 2

Mark 6:7-13

Jesus Sends Out the Twelve Apostles

7 And he called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. 8 He charged them to take nothing for their journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in their belts— 9 but to wear sandals and not put on two tunics. 10 And he said to them, “Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you depart from there. 11 And if any place will not receive you and they will not listen to you, when you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them.” 12 So they went out and proclaimed that people should repent. 13 And they cast out many demons and anointed with oil many who were sick and healed them.

What can we learn from this passage? Here are some takeaways:

1. Two by two - the disciples went out in a way that protected their witness and held them accountable. 

2. Take nothing extra - they were to trust in God’s provision for them.

3. Don’t take an extra cloak - this meant they wouldn’t be able to sleep outside, and use the extra cloak as a cover; they would need to rely on hospitality.

4. Stay in one place in town - this protected their witness as well. They were to stay in the first house they entered, not move up to a better one, or to people they liked more.

5. If people didn’t receive their message, they were to move on. Their responsibility was to be obedient; God would handle the outcome.

6. They preached repentance - people must be made aware of sin, or they won’t want to get better.

7. They drove out demons - Jesus gave them authority that they hadn’t had before.

8. They anointed many sick people with oil and healed them. The disciples approached the sick with both physical and spiritual care, just as Jesus had exemplified.

9. Many - this word is repeated twice. Sometimes I read a direction from Jesus and I head out for my day to fulfill it, but usually it’s one and done. I would look for someone to be kind to or to forgive, then I would move on, checking that off my list; I put a lid on the obedience. The disciples took Jesus’ instructions and example and drove out many demons and anointed and healed many people. 

How can you apply one, or more, of these lessons to your life?