When you are seeking to work for God, how do you handle rejection and discouragement? Jesus can teach us a lot about this. Despite the lack of faith of those in His home town, Jesus did not stop doing God’s work. He went from village to village teaching, Mark 6:6. Jesus did not stay where he got no response but moved on to other villages. If we are not getting a response from those close to us, we might need to also move on to tell people where they are more receptive of Jesus.
Rather than cutting back on his work, he intensified it by sending the disciples out in pairs. He gave to them the same authority over evil spirits that Jesus Himself had, verse 7. They had been taught by Jesus and seen his works. They had learned from Him. Now it was time for them to put into practice what they had learned. It is good for us to study God’s Word and learn from Jesus but like the disciples we then need to go and put it into practice.
The disciples had to learn that their physical needs would be met as they went about God’s Work, verse 8. We have an obligation to share our material goods with those who minister to us. The disciples needed to accept the help and support of others. I have a dear friend who always found it easy to give and to support others doing God’s work, but found it hard to accept help. We also need to be able to accept the help of others.
The disciples were told to stay with those who made them welcome, verse 10. Is your home available for God’s use, a place where those doing God’s Work are welcome? Do you offer your home for billeting of those who come on short term missions to your town?
The disciples were commanded to move on to another place if they were not received warmly and people refused to listen, verse 11. In other words, don’t persist with people who refuse to listen but take the message to those who will.
The disciples’ priority was the same as that of Jesus. Preaching the Word took precedence. They preached repentance before they performed miracles, verses 12 and 13. Often this need for repentance is one we are hesitant to convey. Yet to the Lord this is of prime importance.
The disciples’ ministry was powerful because they followed Jesus’ instructions. What instruction is He asking us to obey that will release His power in our lives and those we come into contact with?
Passage: Mark 6:6-13.
Bible references taken from The New International Version
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