We've looked at how Jesus provides us with tools and a purpose, so what's next? Here's the story from Mark 6:7-13 again.
And he called to the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. He charged them to take nothing for their journey except a staff - no bread, no bag, no money in their belts - but to wear sandals and not put on two tunics. And he said to them, "Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you depart from there. And if any place will not receive you and they will not listen to you, when you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them." So they went out and proclaimed that people should repent. And they cast out many demons and anointed with oil many who were sick and healed them.
Jesus provides what we don't need. "He charged them to take nothing for their journey except a staff - no bread, no bag, no money in their belts - but to wear sandals and not put on two tunics." Doesn't Jesus want us to be prepared? Why wouldn't He want the disciples to carry extra supplies for their travels and potential dangers? Jesus was calling them to let go of their comforts before going on mission for Him. He was teaching the disciples to rely solely on Him through faith and not their own resources.
Just like the first disciples, do we have distractions and excuses that allow us to put God's mission to the side at times? For instance, do we say that this job, this hobby, or this relationship takes up too much of time? What would happen if we got rid of distractions and obeyed God's commands instead of questioning them?
There are two passages in Luke that can help us in getting ourselves out of our own way.
- Luke 9:46-48: An argument arose among them as to which of them was the greatest. But Jesus, knowing the reasoning for their hearts, took a child and put him by his side and said to them, "Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. For he who is least among you all is the one who is great."
- To truly submit to and follow the Lord, we must lose our sense of self-importance. Sometimes as followers of Christ, we are tempted to compare ourselves with other Christians. But these comparisons are rarely helpful and often cause great damage.
- Luke 9:49-50: John answered, "Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he does not follow with us." But Jesus said to him, "Do not stop him, for the one who is not against you is for you."
- We must get rid of our self-righteous behavior and our tendency to judge others. How often do we stand in judgment of others over the way they worship and follow Christ?
"It's easier to complain than to be generous. It's easier to stand in judgment than to talk grace or offer hope." - DP
As you strive to live a life glorifying to God, are you relying on yourself, your family, your resources? Or are you relying completely on Christ?
And he called to the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. He charged them to take nothing for their journey except a staff - no bread, no bag, no money in their belts - but to wear sandals and not put on two tunics. And he said to them, "Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you depart from there. And if any place will not receive you and they will not listen to you, when you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them." So they went out and proclaimed that people should repent. And they cast out many demons and anointed with oil many who were sick and healed them.
Jesus provides what we don't need. "He charged them to take nothing for their journey except a staff - no bread, no bag, no money in their belts - but to wear sandals and not put on two tunics." Doesn't Jesus want us to be prepared? Why wouldn't He want the disciples to carry extra supplies for their travels and potential dangers? Jesus was calling them to let go of their comforts before going on mission for Him. He was teaching the disciples to rely solely on Him through faith and not their own resources.
Just like the first disciples, do we have distractions and excuses that allow us to put God's mission to the side at times? For instance, do we say that this job, this hobby, or this relationship takes up too much of time? What would happen if we got rid of distractions and obeyed God's commands instead of questioning them?
There are two passages in Luke that can help us in getting ourselves out of our own way.
- Luke 9:46-48: An argument arose among them as to which of them was the greatest. But Jesus, knowing the reasoning for their hearts, took a child and put him by his side and said to them, "Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. For he who is least among you all is the one who is great."
- To truly submit to and follow the Lord, we must lose our sense of self-importance. Sometimes as followers of Christ, we are tempted to compare ourselves with other Christians. But these comparisons are rarely helpful and often cause great damage.
- Luke 9:49-50: John answered, "Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he does not follow with us." But Jesus said to him, "Do not stop him, for the one who is not against you is for you."
- We must get rid of our self-righteous behavior and our tendency to judge others. How often do we stand in judgment of others over the way they worship and follow Christ?
"It's easier to complain than to be generous. It's easier to stand in judgment than to talk grace or offer hope." - DP
As you strive to live a life glorifying to God, are you relying on yourself, your family, your resources? Or are you relying completely on Christ?
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