Jesus’ mission is now
expanded as the disciples are sent out in pairs. It would seem that the time of
initial training and preparation is over. They are now entrusted with the task
of building on the work that Jesus has begun. The focus here is on how they are
to approach this role. As Leith Fisher (Will you follow me?) points out – “The first calling of the disciples, as their name
implies, is to be ‘learners’, companions on the way with Jesus. Now they are
called ‘apostles’ (6:30), ‘those who are sent out’. They are set on their way
to witness and heal, to drive out demons and to proclaim the Kingdom’s
presence. Mark is not at all interested in the results of their mission. He
doesn’t tell us how they fared. He is interested in the instructions that Jesus
gives them as he sends them outwards.”
The one thing that is specified as a
purpose of this sending is that they were give authority over the unclean
spirits. That is perhaps because, in the context of the time, that would be
seen as most important. With that sorted, other things would be likely to fall
into place. The unclean spirits were blamed for much of what went wrong and was
damaging in people’s lives.
In terms of preparation, they are
effectively told not to pack. They should go just as they are, and therefore
cast themselves on the care of those amongst whom they go. They are told that the
only thing they may take is a staff. They do not need food, money, or a change
of clothes, despite those being obvious things to take on any journey. In that
society, where there would be limited ability to carry luggage, there was much
more dependence on the hospitality that might be offered along the way. But
this instruction to take nothing seems extreme.
They are told to be accepting of the
hospitality that is offered to them and, in particular, not to look to move to
better lodgings, if the opportunity arises. Where they are not welcome, they
should move on. The important thing is to get the mission undertaken. If those
among whom they go are unresponsive, they should not waste time. I wonder what
this says to us about the lengthy preparations we sometimes make for mission
and evangelism. Preparing is good and important, as is training; and the
disciples had been trained. But I wonder if sometimes we get stuck in the
preparing to the detriment of the actual work. I wonder if we need to listen to
Jesus’ call to disciples to travel light.
Most of what we are told here focuses on
the preparations, or lack thereof. But we are told that they did what was asked
of them, and also that their mission was effective. Verse 13 – they cast out
many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them. The disciples
still had a long way to go, as do we, but it is clear that God is blessing what
they do, and they are already being used in the Jesus mission.
No comments:
Post a Comment