On Line Bible Study - For the week April 6-12, 2009
Lesson 382
Mark 6:7-8Jesus called the Twelve to him, and sent them out in pairs. He gave them authority and power to deal with the evil opposition. He sent them off with these instructions:
8-9"Don't think you need a lot of extra equipment for this. You are the equipment. No special appeals for funds. Keep it simple. 10"And no luxury inns. Get a modest place and be content there until you leave. 11"If you're not welcomed, not listened to, quietly withdraw. Don't make a scene. Shrug your shoulders and be on your way." 12-13Then they were on the road. They preached with joyful urgency that life can be radically different; right and left they sent the demons packing; they brought wellness to the sick, anointing their bodies, healing their spirits.
This paraphrase is from Eugene Peterson's The Message. While it is interesting to compare Mark's account of the sending of the 12 with Matthew and Luke (Mark allows them to wear sandals and carry a staff; Matthew and Luke do not), Peterson adds a line that, while not in the original text, seems to sum up Jesus' intent. You are the equipment.
Peterson presents this as what might be called a "Queen Esther Moment". (See Esther 4:9-14.) If we are waiting for the experts to arrive, we may be waiting in vain. We are the "experts". We are the ones - just as were the twelve - called, equipped, empowered, burdened - with the task of changing the world. There is nothing wrong with using all the technology at our disposal; but facebook, twitter, internets, power points - these things are as "essential" to the work of the church as the pipe organ was a hundred years ago. They might make the work more interesting, the church service more beautiful, the message seem more awesome; but just because the power goes out is no excuse for not doing the work of Christ.
You are the equipment. If not you, then who? "Driving out demons" may be no more complicated than saying a brief prayer with someone. Sometimes "healing them" means nothing more than paying attention to them, visiting them. Perhaps the critical component in this passage has to do with the essential missional nature of the church. Jesus did not encourage his disciples to build a place and invite people to come to it. Jesus sent his disciples into villages and market places - into each other's homes.
The joyful urgency that Peterson mentions has to do with so many peoples' need now to change their attitude - from blaming to accepting; from anger to patience; from hatred to forgiveness; from pessimism to joyful celebration.
It seems the disciples were sent out to do two things: First, people need to turn around (repent) and lean toward God. Second, they gave people cause to do just that! They did not only "preach"; they lived the kind of world they were proclaiming. Yes! That's what they did!
And so must we ....
Peterson presents this as what might be called a "Queen Esther Moment". (See Esther 4:9-14.) If we are waiting for the experts to arrive, we may be waiting in vain. We are the "experts". We are the ones - just as were the twelve - called, equipped, empowered, burdened - with the task of changing the world. There is nothing wrong with using all the technology at our disposal; but facebook, twitter, internets, power points - these things are as "essential" to the work of the church as the pipe organ was a hundred years ago. They might make the work more interesting, the church service more beautiful, the message seem more awesome; but just because the power goes out is no excuse for not doing the work of Christ.
You are the equipment. If not you, then who? "Driving out demons" may be no more complicated than saying a brief prayer with someone. Sometimes "healing them" means nothing more than paying attention to them, visiting them. Perhaps the critical component in this passage has to do with the essential missional nature of the church. Jesus did not encourage his disciples to build a place and invite people to come to it. Jesus sent his disciples into villages and market places - into each other's homes.
The joyful urgency that Peterson mentions has to do with so many peoples' need now to change their attitude - from blaming to accepting; from anger to patience; from hatred to forgiveness; from pessimism to joyful celebration.
It seems the disciples were sent out to do two things: First, people need to turn around (repent) and lean toward God. Second, they gave people cause to do just that! They did not only "preach"; they lived the kind of world they were proclaiming. Yes! That's what they did!
And so must we ....
posted by Mark D at 8:23 AM
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