Preparing for the Job
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Key Verse: “He ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach.” Selected Scripture: |
PEOPLE NEED TO BE equipped to do the tasks to which they are called. Today’s lesson sets forth Jesus’ equipment of his disciples for their ministry. “He ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach, And to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils.” (Mark 3:14,15) The apostles received their training by personal fellowship with Jesus and by their mission work among the villages of Galilee. This was to be their future life-work. “It came to pass afterward, that he went throughout every city and village, preaching and shewing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God: and the twelve were with him.” (Luke 8:1) As his emissaries, Jesus gave the disciples the power to accomplish the tasks. Like Jesus, they spoke and acted with authority.
Jesus said unto them, “A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house. And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them. And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching. And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits; And commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey, save a staff only; no scrip, no bread, no money in their purse: But be shod with sandals; and not put on two coats. And he said unto them, In what place soever ye enter into an house, there abide till ye depart from that place. And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city. And they went out, and preached that men should repent. And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them.”—Mark 6:4-13
“He appointed twelve—designating them apostles—that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach and to have authority to drive out demons. These are the twelve he appointed: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter); James son of Zebedee and his brother John (to them he gave the name Boanerges, which means Sons of Thunder); Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.” (Mark 3:14-19, New International Version) The final name on the list carries a troublesome ring because Judas will betray Jesus.
“After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also [as evangelists, not apostles], and sent them two and two … into every city and place, whither he himself would come.” (Luke 10:1) Jesus prepared these seventy for the job at hand by warning, instruction, and encouragement, “Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road. When you enter a house, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ If a man of peace is there, your peace will rest on him; if not, it will return to you.”—Luke 10:3-6, NIV