Mark 6:7-16

Spread it around!
Mark 6:7-16

In witnessing, Christians are like manure.  Put them all in one place and they stink.  Spread them around and they can do a lot of good.
–  Chuck Swindol, Insights for living

I heard this on the radio this morning and it made me glad because I knew that this was the topic of today’s study — The commissioning of the twelve disciples.

Fairly early in Jesus’ ministry, Jesus sent His disciples out two by two to spread the message of Jesus as sort of a training mission for later, when Jesus would depart this earth.  There were two things that Jesus told his disciples:  trust Me to take care of you (bring no food, money, shelter, extra clothing – all basic necessities) and be prepared to do a lot of walking (bring staff and shoes).  He then told them to find lodging in a town and stay there until they left the town.  If a town did not receive them or the message, “shake off the dust from the soles of your feet as a testimony against them” (verse 11b).  This act of shaking the dust off meant that you had no further responsibility towards them — a symbolic break in fellowship.

We as Christians are called to spread the Good News about Jesus, just like the disciples.  Sounds scary doesn’t it?  We feel so unprepared; we would probably just sound foolish in our attempt to describe something we ourselves barely understand.  This should not stop us though; God will help us succeed despite ourselves.

We as messengers for Christ will not be well received wherever we go and to everyone we talk to.  That’s OK, but we can still make the effort.  We are called to be God’s hands and feet; to do good works and spread His message.  We’ll let the Holy Spirit do the rest.  God will also place us where we need to be, sometimes kicking and screaming I suppose, but hopefully with a submissive heart.  What we need to do, as the disciples did, is trust that God will provide for our every need, and prepare for a lot of walking between accepting cities (in other words, lots of patience between triumphs in witnessing).

So, Hey, How did the disciples fare anyway in their training exercise?  Read verse 13 for one result, then 14-16 for another!  (You can also read the John the Baptist story in verses 17-29 if you want; I will be skipping it next week.)