Sunday 05 July 2009
- Bible Book:
- Mark
"He called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. He ordered them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belt; but to wear sandals and not to put on two tunics." (v.7-9)
Background
When Jesus goes back to his home town of Nazareth it has aprofound effect on his family and community. He encountersjealousy, envy and guilt and the community ask questions intendedto undermine and cast suspicion.
Where did he get this? Isn't he the carpenter's son? Was there notsome scandal about his birth? To this Jesus responds with a certainsense of dismay: prophets are respected everywhere except to theirown.
Then, finally, there is Jesus' creative response to the situation.He tells the disciples that although they too will sufferrejection, they must offer each other, and rely upon, mutualsupport, mutual dependence and mutual sustenance of mission. Thereare times when you just cannot allow others to undermine you, andthe best thing is to look for the positive and creative.
This time last year in these Bible notes I remember mentioning BobMarley and his call for people to free themselves from mentalslavery (in the lyrics to Redemption Song). A recent conversationwith a Jamaican business woman led to her telling me, "We are stillsuffering from mental slavery".
Over the next few days we will read about God's people becoming sodependent on the corn of Egypt that they allow themselves to becomeslaves. But what is our corn in Egypt?
To Ponder
Why do you think that Jesus was surprised thatpeople did not have faith?
Can you think about a time when you felt ignoredand isolated by those closest to you? If so, try and relate thosefeelings to how Jesus might have felt.
Make a list of what you think "corn in Egypt"could mean today. Keep it and compare it at the end of theweek.