Thursday 28 January 2016
- Bible Book:
- Mark
“He called the twelve and began to send them out two by two.” (v. 7)
Psalm: Psalm 22:22-31
Background
The mission of Jesus is not accomplished alone. He gathers agroup of friends to be with him and to announce the good news ofthe kingdom of God. Like Jesus, who went to teach in thesurrounding villages, so the twelve are sent out.
The gospel (good news) is announced not just in their words, butby the way they live. Jesus' instructions to the disciples, to take"nothing except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money" (v. 8), aredemanding. Jesus invites them to set off on the journey without anyof the normal trappings of security and to live out - and soproclaim - a simple trust in God.
Jesus prepares them to face rejection or indifference - butrather than being discouraged or detained by such resistance, theyare simply to move on, 'shaking the dust from their feet' (verse11).
The lives of those who do welcome the gospel can be transformed.Like Jesus, the disciples are given authority to cast our demonsand heal the sick. Perhaps in our own age we might think in termsof helping people find freedom from despair, or addiction to what'sultimately unsatisfying.
To be part of the mission of Jesus means being willing to live alife that trusts and to root our lives in what is essential.
To Ponder
- If Jesus sent out the disciples today, what instructions do youthink he would give them?
- When have you had to go beyond your fears and set out with verylittle? What did you learn from this experience?
- What can healing the sick and casting out demons mean for ustoday?