Chuck Colson writes; The church is the God-ordained means for evangelism, for discipleship, and for witnessing of the kingdom.

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1 Introduction In the sixth chapter of Mark the disciples are given the opportunity to know the Servant (vv.1-6) and now the disciples are given the opportunity to share the Word (vv.7-13). Before being sent by the Servant we must be equipped (v.7) and be given proper instructions (vv.8-13). We are like hunters. But our prey does not consist of big game but big sinners. Our job is not to kill our prey but participate in Jesus giving them life. Before we embark on our Safari (swahili for journey) we must go to the Servant s Outfitting Store. The disciples will be commissioned and empowered by Jesus; and the urgency of the work will mean the disciples will travel light. We cannot take what we do not need and we must trust that all things that we will need will be provided by our Lord. Jesus is encouraging his disciples to live by faith. The main task of the mission was to encourage repentance, preach the Word and lead people to trust that Jesus is God s Messiah. Our success will depend in large part on how well we are equipped for the task at hand. Our success will also depend on how willing we are to follow the Servant s instructions. In Mark s Gospel we have seen Jesus call the disciples (1:16-20); name the disciples (3:13-19) and now send the disciples (6:7-13). The Servant s Equipping (v.7) Mark 6:7 And He called the twelve to Himself, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them power over unclean spirits. Equipping begins with attachment. Jesus called the twelve to Himself. Earlier in Mark s Gospel (3:-13-15) we read And He went up on the mountain and called to Him those He Himself wanted. And they came to Him. Then He appointed twelve, that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach, and to have power to heal sicknesses and to cast out demons Chuck Colson writes; The church is the God-ordained means for evangelism, for discipleship, and for witnessing of the kingdom. The disciples were called before they were sent. Jesus began their ministry with discipleship and attachment and association with Him. To follow Him and live in His presence. By being with Him they could see what Jesus did, how Jesus spoke and how Jesus responded to people. Discipleship means more than just following Jesus--it means longing to be like Him. The word send (apostello) implies one sent with a message or send on behalf of someone. We might think of this as a sending that includes the elements of commission or authorization; sent by someone with that person s message in order to accomplish that person s work. 1

2 We present the message of Jesus. Our work is the work of Jesus. Paul put it this way; but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness, (1 Cor. 1:23 NASB). Recently the U.S. send the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defense and the Chairman of the Joint Chief s of Staff to Pakistan. The message do not harbor terrorists who plan and prepare to kill American citizens. Equipping includes attachment and authorization. Jesus sends them two by two. For what reason? Perhaps so the preaching could be confirmed by two witnesses. Clearly two are better than one for strength and mutual help. Perhaps for accountability. Jesus gives them power (exousia). In a sense this power is a kind of credential. Then the power of God (dunamis) was present to make sure the commands of the disciples were obeyed. The ministry of the Ambassador includes attachment to the Savior; authorization from the Savior and now authority or power given by the Savior. The disciples are given apostolic authority and divine ability. It is one thing to be able to cast out demons; it is another thing to transfer both authority and ability to another. Only God can do this. In a moment Jesus will give them instructions; impossible instructions unless the disciples are given both power and authority by Jesus Himself. Why does Jesus give the disciples (now apostolic missionaries) power over demons? Satanic opposition. The task would not be easy. Evil would confront them every step of the way. What does it mean to have power over unclean spirits? It seems to mean they are given the same power (authority) exercised by Jesus. The nature and character of the ministry of Jesus is confrontation with the sources of evil! The disciples have been with Jesus, heard Jesus preach and teach and heal and cast out demons. David L. McKenna in his commentary on this passage suggests that the crisis of rejection in Nazareth will provide the stage to determine if Jesus will join the ranks of interesting but uneventful leaders--that separate great leaders from small pretenders; --Can the vision of the leader be grasped by others? -- Can the authority of the leader be transferred to others? --Can the teaching of the leader be taught by others? --Can the actions of the leader be duplicated by others? --Can the results of the leader be multiplied by others? (see The Communicators Commentary: Mark; p. 128). 2

3 The Servant s Instructions (vv.8-13) Mark 6:8 He commanded them to take nothing for the journey except a staff no bag, no bread, no copper in their money belts no bag (pera) a knapsack or traveler s bag or perhaps a beggar s bag. The word bread comes before bag--and might mean take no food or any bag for begging food or money for buying food. The phrase money belts (zone). Mark 6:9 but to wear sandals, and not to put on two tunics. tunics (chiton) not the outer garment but the inner garment. Sandals yes. Staff yes. Perhaps for protection against animals. The instructions Jesus gives seems counter-intuitive. Go without provisions. No bread, no wallet, no credit cards. They were to trust Him to supply all their needs. Theirs was a life and a ministry marked by faith. Do you think people began to envy the lavish life-style of the disciples? People would not be attracted to Christianity in the hopes of becoming wealthy! Whatever power must come from the Lord. Mark 6:10 Also He said to them, In whatever place you enter a house, stay there till you depart from that place. The instructions include; go without provisions; and accept hospitality where it is offered! What does that mean?...stay there till you depart from that place. But all these people have is a sleeping bag in the basement. Why can t we wait for someone who has a guest house or a luxury suite at a local hotel? Because you are not there for comfortable lodging. What is your message? Doesn t your message include preaching the One who did not come to please Himself? Did Jesus leave you with the impression that He is self-seeking or self-serving? The disciples were not to compromise the message by seeking luxury, comfort or ease! Mark 6:11 And whoever will not receive you nor hear you, when you depart from there, shake off the dust under your feet as a testimony against them. Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city! What are our instructions? Trust God for provisions. Accept hospitality. And now if a place rejects the disciples and refuse their message; they are not obligated to remain. Why cast pearls before swine? In leaving the disciples were to shake the dust off their feet; a symbol--a metaphor symbolizing God s rejection of those who reject His beloved Son. 3

4 The disciple of Jesus can expect hospitality and hostility. Did the instructions change later on? Why yes. Luke 22:35 And He said to them, When I sent you without money bag, knapsack, and sandals, did you lack anything? So they said, Nothing. Luke 22:36 Then He said to them, But now, he who has a money bag, let him take it, and likewise a knapsack; and he who has no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one. Does that mean we are to ignore the principles or avoid the lessons of equipping and dependence? I don t think so. Does that mean we are to shake the dust off our feet--and never share the gospel twice with anyone? I don t think so. In the ancient world of the first century Jew the practice of shaking off the dust was a part of strict laws and practices. The religious Jews insisted that when a foreigner entered the country, the first act would be to shake off the dust brought from the Gentile world. Ivor Powell writes; It was their means of proclaiming that orthodox Jews could have no dealings with unclean people. When Jesus instructed the disciples to follow this procedure, He was using a practice well known in every community. He was proclaiming the simple fact that a man who refused to entertain the preacher of the Gospel, was as unclean in the sight of God as Gentiles were in the estimation of the Jewish rabbis. When Christ compared Sodom with that city, His words of condemnation provided food for thought. Doubtless, the disciples entered many respectable communities were sincere people endeavored to observe the laws of God, and be faithful in the practice of their religious beliefs. Apparently, this would be of little worth, if they rejected the preachers and the message they brought (Ivor Powell; Mark s Superb Gospel; p.156). Why does Jesus indicate it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of Judgment? The Jews considered Sodom and Gomorrah filthy Gentile cities. But Sodom did not enjoy the advantage of having heard the Gospel prior to its destruction. The ancient peoples in Sodom and Gomorrah never had a Bible--and since only God can judge a town or a person according to the light they have received--what happens to a nation or a city or a village or a person who has repeatedly heard the Gospel? To who much is given much is required. In brief--the disciples are to live (1) in utter simplicity and humility (vv.8-9). They live like ordinary folk. They avoid the flamboyant, the extravagant; those things that emphasize selfindulgent behavior. The reasons seem to be that the Servant of God seeks those things that are above and not below; our focus is on preaching the gospel and ministering to people. We are to demonstrate trust in God for needs, so that we might model what it means to depend on God. (2) The disciples were to show stability and settledness (v.10). They were to find a place--stay there 4

5 and not move around. They were to avoid the temptation to seek more comfort or luxury. (3) The disciples were not to reject hospitality. (4) They were to preach repentance (v.12). The disciples were to minister to those possessed by evil spirits (or evil); both to the body and the soul. Mark 6:12 So they went out and preached that people should repent. The amplified Bible reads; So they went out and preached that men should repent, that is, that they should change their minds for the better, and heartily amend their ways with abhorrence for their past sins. Repentance includes three elements: 1. There is a change of mind. We wish to do good instead of wishing to do evil 2. There is a change of heart. Instead of loving sin we have now set our affections on things above. We love Jesus Christ and His commandments. O how I love thy law (Psalm 119:97). This can never come about by an act of will, but only by an act of God. He gives us a new heart and a new spirit (Ezek. 18:31). We become Partakers of the divine nature (2 Peter 1:4). And then it is God which worketh in us both to will and to do of his good pleasure (Phil. 2:13). 3. There is a change of life. Thereby we show that our repentance is real and true. Tis not enough to say, I m sorry and repent, And then go on from day to day Just as we always went. Repentance is to leave The sins we loved before, And show that we in earnest grieve By doing them no more. Mark 6:13 And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick, and healed them. At the core of the disciples mission; preaching repentance, casting out demons, anointing the sick with oil (Mark is the only Gospel to mention anointing with oil for the purpose of healing; see Moody Gospel Commentary Series; Mark; Louis Barbieri; p.139). With the Servant s equipment and and the Servant s instructions they were able to cast out many demons and anoint many who were sick! The disciples are called to minister to those who are gripped by sin and shame and sickness. They were to liberate their souls from evil spirits, delivering those who were possessed and oppressed. They minister to those who are suffering and hurting. Oil in the Bible is often a 5

6 symbol of the presence of the Holy Spirit. The oil was meant to cause the person anointed to concentrate on the power and the presence of the Holy Spirit. It is often difficult for a sick person to concentrate on the Lord--because all the energy is focused on the pain or the disease or the disability. Oil is also a symbol of God s goodness and care, comfort and joy, and mercy. It is the oil of gladness. The oil in part was used to stir up faith in a person s heart and fill that person s heart with gladness. Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows (Psalm 45:7). Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows (Heb. 1:9). In Mark s gospel the emphasis is on the Servant s ability to give His disciples power over unclean spirits; to heal all manner of disease and to preach the kingdom of God (Mat. 10:1; and Luke 9:1-2). Why does Mark emphasize and concentrate on the power over evil spirits? The reasons might include--mark is writing to a Gentile audience (Romans and the Roman World). Paul wrote to the Romans about Romans. These are people who do not glorify God as God, not thankful to God, vain in their imaginations, hearts darkened and foolish. Who profess themselves to be wise, but are fools, who changed the glory of God into images such as corrupible man, birds, and four-footed beasts, and creeping things. Who were unclean through lusts in their hearts. Who changed the truth of God into a lie. Who serve and worship the creature more than the Creator. Who did not like to retain God in their knowledge or thinking. Who did things that are degrading and immoral (Romans ). In other words Mark is writing to a group of people who were filled and controlled by all kinds of evil; who were subject to evil influences including demon influences. In a sense Mark wants to point to one of the purposes of Jesus--to conquer the spirit of evil and destroy the works of the devil. David L. McKenna s writes; Jesus has attested His greatness once again. Others will grasp His vision, receive His authority, teach His Truths, follow His actions, and multiply His results. Acknowledging His limitations, Jesus has multiplied His presence. I think what McKenna means by limitations is the fact that Jesus in His incarnation can physically be in one place at one time. Now there are are six ministry teams excluding Jesus. Conclusion The new Ambassadors were carrying the Servant s message. Everywhere they urged the listener to repent. This was and is and ever will be the Church s urgent message; for unless sinners turn from their sins and seek the living God, all hope for entering the eternal kingdom will be lost. 6