Thursday | October 15, 2020 |
Mark 6The Authority of Jesus | Mark 6:7-13
By: Pastor Charlotte Bailey
“...7 Calling the Twelve to him, he began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over impure spirits. 8 These were his instructions: “Take nothing for the journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in your belts. 9 Wear sandals but not an extra shirt. 10 Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you leave that town. 11 And if any place will not welcome you or listen to you, leave that place and shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.” 12 They went out and preached that people should repent. 13 They drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them...” Mark 6:7-13 NIV
My interpretation of Jesus sending out the twelve is simply this- I feel like this was the true start of the very discipleship we are called to today. Here are 3 main points I would like to focus on.
1.) They were to be his companions and learn from him.
- In order to be good at something (or at least to have knowledge over something) we must first study it. In order to know someone you must spend time with them. So in walking side by side with Christ, the disciples were equipped with the knowledge of who He was, the good works He had already done, and how to execute the message to those they came face to face with just by witnessing Him in action.
2.) He sent them out to do what he had been doing — preaching the gospel.
- The disciples told the message to ALL people they met. They didn't try to predetermine who would receive the message and who wouldn't. They spread the gospel over a wide area, expanding Jesus' ministry. They did many good things in the name of Jesus. We MUST learn from them. There is an old hymn that says, "The blessed Gospel is for all, the Gospel is for all." Exactly! It is not for a select few, our friends, those we deem most likely to respond, or those we feel most comfortable sharing the message. We must tell the Gospel to all so they can find blessings in knowing Jesus.
3.) He gave them authority to do good works.
- Jesus knew that in order to see people receive the gospel, a bridge needed to be built. He equipped His disciples with the power to serve others so they may see the true heart of the Kingdom. He gave them authority to cast out demons in order to save those afflicted. And lastly, He gave them the gift of healing, so that the wounded, sick, dying and diseased could see freedom.
Jesus knew that in order to see people receive the gospel, a bridge needed to be built.
We, as Christians, having a direct and intimate relationship with God, are called to be disciples. We are to make fishers of men. So our focus is to spread the Gospel to ALL we encounter. We have that same authority that Jesus gave to the original 12, and because of that, we are to have a servants heart, we have the power (Christ’s power) to cast out evil, and we must have the faith to heal the sick (physically, mentally and spiritually). So let us be a clear reflection of Jesus.
I hope this encourages you today!AuthorPastor Charlotte Bailey
