Mark 6:7-13
Introduction
In this passage we see the twelve disciples sent out on a mission by Jesus. It’s now time for them to put into practice what they have learnt from Jesus.
However, the mission does not end at verse 13. After an interlude, it resumes at verse 30.
Bear this in mind as we make our way through this passage.
Verse 7
After being rejected by the people of Nazareth, Jesus now returns to the villages near the Sea of Galilee with His disciples.
Up to now the disciples have been learning from Jesus. They have watched him preach, heal and cast out demons. Now it’s time to put into practice what they have learnt.
The first thing that Jesus does with the twelve disciples is to summon / call them. Before sending them out He called them. This is true for all of us. Before we go out, we must be called by Jesus. Without being called we will just be acting in the flesh.
The second thing that Jesus does with the twelve disciples is to send them out. The Greek word for the verb to send is ‘apostello’. It is related to the Greek noun ‘apostolos’ which is translated as ‘apostle’. An apostle is someone who is sent out.
In verse 30 we read, ’The apostles gathered together with Jesus; and they reported to Him all that they had done and taught.’ Notice how the twelve disciples become apostles after they have been sent out.
It’s worth noting that the first apostle that we read about in the New Testament is Jesus. In Hebrews 3:1 we read, ‘Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the Apostle and High Priest of our confession;’ Jesus was sent by the Father.
Jesus sent them out in pairs to verify the truth of the gospel message that they would preach. In the Old Testament, something was considered true if there were two witnesses. So, as one disciple proclaims the gospel, the other verifies it.
Notice how this principle of two witnesses is applied to the church. In Matthew 18:15-16 we read, “If your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother. But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you, so that by the mouth of two or three witnesses every fact may be confirmed.”
We also see it during The Tribulation. In Revelation 11:1-4 we read, ‘Then there was given me a measuring rod like a staff; and someone said, “Get up and measure the temple of God and the altar, and those who worship in it. Leave out the court which is outside the temple and do not measure it, for it has been given to the nations; and they will tread under foot the holy city for forty-two months. And I will grant authority to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for twelve hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth. These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth.”
The third thing that Jesus does with the twelve disciples is to give them authority over demons. Some translations use power instead of authority but authority is a better translation. The Greek word for authority is ‘exousia’. The authority Jesus gave them was backed up with power. Jesus authorises and empowers them.
The mission of the disciples was to preach the Gospel, to heal the sick and to cast out demons. We see this in verses 12 and 13.
In order to do this Jesus:
• Calls them
• Gives them His authority
• And empowers them
And this is true for us today.
Verses 8 to 10
In these verses, Jesus instructs the twelve disciples to travel light. They are to take virtually nothing for the journey. No mobile phone, no games, no suitcase, no books, no food, no bag, no begging bowl, no money and only one set of clothes.
However, there are some things that they can take. They are allowed to take a staff and a pair of sandals. The staff and the sandals were walking aids. No buses, taxis or donkeys for them.
And they were not allowed to stay in hotels but to find someone who would let them stay in their home for the duration of their stay. The disciples had to stay in the same house for the duration of their stay so that they would not be tempted to look for a better option.
The purpose of these restrictions was to force the disciples to rely upon God for all of their needs. This is something that we should apply to ourselves today. Think about that.
Verse 11
What does this verse tell us about the responses to the Gospel message? There are only two possible responses. To accept or reject the Gospel.
The purpose of shaking the dust off their feet was to serve as a testimony against them. Before we look at the meaning of this, we need to bear in mind that some translations end verse 11 with the words ‘testimony against them’, but others have an additional sentence added on.
The fuller version of verse 11 says, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgement than for that city.’ The additional words show us what the testimony against them is all about. The testimony against them is that they face being condemned on the day of judgement for their rejection of Christ. The additional words show us that there are degrees of judgement. We learn that those who reject Christ will be judged more harshly than the people of Sodom and Gomorrah. This is really serious.
Verses 12 to 13
In these verses we see the disciples carrying out their mission.
Their preaching required people to repent. Preaching the Gospel must include a call to repentance. Anything else is a false gospel.
Notice that when the disciples healed the sick, they anointed them with oil. This is something we can do when we pray for the sick. Remember what James tells us in chapter 5 verse 14: ‘Is anyone among you sick? Then he must call for the elders of the church and they are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.’
And Finally
This passage shows us what discipleship is like.
Discipleship is about learning from Jesus and then going out and putting into practice what He has taught us.
Just like the twelve, we too need to be discipled.
But how many churches actually put this into practice?