Jesus Commissions Workers

MEMORY VERSE: “Ye are My friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.” —John 15:14

MARK 6:7-13, 30-34

WHEN Jesus sent the Twelve into the ministry to represent him and to further the work of the Gospel he gave them control of miracle-working powers similar to his own. Their ministry was to be one of faith. They were to take no extra clothing, no food, and no money.

Jesus knew that in many instances the people would not receive his apostles kindly, even as many rejected him; but he cautioned them not to force themselves upon the people in any way. He said, “And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, … shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them.” And to this he added, “It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment, than for that city.”—vs. 11

This statement by Jesus completely disproves the traditional conception of the world’s future judgment day. This tradition falsely holds that in the judgment day all who have died in unbelief will be assigned eternally to a place of torment in a fiery hell. Obviously this would mean that no toleration, or favor, would be shown to any unbeliever at that time.

But this tradition is not taught in the Bible. The judgment day that is taught in the Bible is a thousand years in length. It is not a period merely for the meting out of sentences, but a period also of probation—probation based upon the full enlightenment of the people concerning the will of God. Satan, the great deceiver of the people, will be bound during that period, and nothing will be permitted to becloud the minds of the people concerning God.

Under these circumstances we can see why it will be more tolerable for the people of Sodom and Gomorrah than for the Israelites of Jesus’ day who rejected the message brought to them by him and by the apostles. It is because the former were given little or no information, no light, concerning God; whereas the latter were highly favored, in that Jesus and his representatives witnessed to them, frequently demonstrating the power of God at their command by the miracles which they performed. But even the unbelieving Israelites will be given an opportunity to repent and obey in the judgment day. Jews and Gentiles alike will be awakened from the sleep of death that they might have this opportunity.

The record does not indicate how much time the apostles spent on their first missionary journey. Verses 30-34 of the lesson indicate that they made a report to Jesus when they returned; that they “told him all things, both what they had done, and what they had taught.” This must have been an interesting report, and apparently it revealed that the apostles—even as was always true with Jesus—had kept exceedingly busy.

Perhaps Jesus noted that his apostles were weary, for he said to them, “Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while.” Where they were there was no opportunity to rest, “for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat.” The apostles accepted Jesus’ invitation, and together with them they entered into a boat privately and thus endeavored to get away from the milling crowds.

But the effort was a failure. Some noticed what had happened, and the information was circulated. A great multitude hurried along the shore of the lake (Galilee), and when Jesus and his apostles drew in to shore, there was a great crowd waiting for him. When he saw this great multitude, and realized that they were as sheep without a shepherd, his heart was filled with compassion for them “and he began to teach them many things.”

This ministry continued until practically nightfall. Then Jesus performed the miracle of feeding the five thousand. Without doubt the apostles participated in all this. We know that they helped to serve the food. They obeyed Jesus at all times, and because of this they were his friends. (see memory verse) They were all weary to start with, but gladly served another day. This was the spirit of Jesus, and this is the spirit of all who are commissioned by the Holy Spirit to be his witnesses.

QUESTIONS

Why were the apostles not permitted to take extra supplies with them on their first missionary trip?

Will those who have died in unbelief have an opportunity to believe in the judgment day?

What is the true spirit of Christian service as exemplified by Jesus?

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