Read Mark 6:7-13
I’m glad they were able to wear sandals! I’ve always tried to picture how it would feel to walk around barefoot in the hills of the Judean wilderness. Shoes were a luxury, considering there would be no change of clothes. But it was Jesus who called them. Jesus would not put them in harm’s way.
The disciples should be honored. Jesus thought they were ready. They might have questioned that themselves, but Jesus’ matter-of-fact declaration was sending them out to continue the work they’d all been doing together under Jesus’ leadership. Now they would have to fend for themselves and seek guidance directly from the Father. Jesus would be elsewhere, cheering them on from afar.
Jesus addresses at least two fears the disciples may be facing when he talks about where they’ll stay and what to do if nobody listens. I can imagine those would have been two of the burning questions going through the disciples’ minds.
Jesus’ message was, “You will be provided for.” Jesus’ words, “Stay in the same house,” infer the disciples will find housing and possibly even food. This was a mission ordained by Jesus, he wouldn’t let his disciples fail (unless that was the “purpose” or “teachable moment” of the mission).
Jesus gave them permission to move on, as well. In fact, this instruction was to simply do their best and leave if the people’s hearts are that hard or eyes that blind to see. We’ve all encountered those kinds of folks at some time in our ministry, haven’t we? I love that Jesus tells us to not beat ourselves up when people don’t listen to us when we share the gospel. How cool is that!?
Not only were the disciples sent, but they also actually went! It sounds like their mission went exactly as Jesus expected it would. Think of how much those men grew in their own faith by professing Jesus and healing in his name. Jesus was still alive, just not with them. There had to be a sense of pleasing Jesus with how they conducted themselves, don’t you think?
We have our marching papers, too. Jesus sends us out into this dark, drear world to shine our lights, pointing to Jesus’ redeeming love. The disciples faced a dark world, too, including Roman forces around every corner. They went, no excuses. Is it time for you to go out for Jesus, too?
Let’s pray. Lord, thank you that every day presents a fresh opportunity to go out into the world for you. Help me do a better job of shining my light. Keep the lilt in my step and the smile on my face as I encounter people I know and don’t know. I want to shine so I can point people to you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
