Mark 6: 7-13
It is
particular to note that Jesus commissions the 12 disciples between two
significant events. Mark 6:1-6a mentions about Jesus being rejected in
Nazareth. Mark 6:14 onwards mentions about the beheading of the John the
Baptist. So the message Jesus wants to emphasize is “there is always a
possibility of rejection”. Everyone will not accept your work and your message.
In such a stage your attitude and vision reveals who you are and what you are.
Hence the sending out of 12 disciples is a context which assumes great
importance. Parallel narratives are given in the Gospel according to Matthew
and Luke. The thought process, the self understanding, the habits, the
behavioral pattern, their community life, the value system, the vision of the
community is revealed through their writings. The vision of Markan community is
given in this sector. In this text we can see the above aspects of Markan
community being revealed to us. Let us ponder upon the revelation.
1. Things to take
in a journey
The things
that we take take in a journey defines our needs and goals. Jesus asks the
disciples to take a staff, to wear sandals. But he strictly warns them not to
take bread, no bags, no money, no two sets of clothes. Jesus says this so that
they might not rely on their self, rather completely on God. He says to trust God for basic necessities. Taking
a bag could mean to carry food and the essentials required. Secondly the bag
signifies seeking or expecting offerings from people. As per William Barclay’s
commentary the use of bag in both these ways can lead us astray in our
ministry. It also reflects your attitude
towards accumulation of riches while being in the ministry. Therefore, it
becomes the expression of your selfish desire, your desire for using mission
for hoarding and also shows your perception of personal security that reveals
your doubt in the one who has send you.
Jesus
clearly shows that for an authentic mission experience, the above attitude is
an obstacle and we need to avoid it. We need to have the courage to say no to
every kind of accumulation. Our security arises out of fear of the uncertainty
of the future. Here Jesus calls for unconditional trust and uncompromising
obedience to God. Thus the call is for a
simple life. This is not to be a pretention.
2. The source of
authority
It is Jesus
who gives you the authority in your ministry. When the apostles are
commissioned; from where does the authority come from? (vs.7, gave them
authority over all spirits). This authority comes to the disciple from the
unconditional loyalty and commitment to Jesus. Another important aspect is the
fact that two persons are send together. As per Israelite laws in Deuteronomy,
Leviticus, 2 or 3 witnesses are required to confirm a particular matter of
justice. Hence we see 2 persons send together. It also reveals an aspect of
teamwork and brotherhood. Christ never sends you alone. This section also
implies the propagation of gospel. The authority of Jesus is given to the
community of faith which should be the body of Christ. We see that when the 12
apostles came back they were happy this is because they could give flesh to the
body of Christ by the authority of Christ. Hence the authority of Christ should
be used by the community to give flesh to Christ is the society.
3. Be contented in
God
Jesus asks
them to stay at the house that receives them until they leave the place (v 10).
This means no to accept gifts from the people around and go to their house and
make your base at the best possible house. The apostles are exhorted not to
shop around for things or facilities to satisfy them. Instead they are asked to
be contented with what they have been provided with. This satisfaction comes
from being humble before God and having satisfaction in God. Let us be contented with the hospitality and
the facilities that we get from the place we are and give out the best to that
place. This is made implicit to the disciples by the exhortation to stay in the
house that accepts them and serve the village from that house. s
Rejection
is a signal to move to next
In vs. 11,
Jesus asks the disciples to take off the dust of their feet if they reject you.
It is actually a symbol of curse and it symbolizes our attitude towards the
village. For a pious Jew, all other places, i.e. foreign lands are impure and
only the land in which he lives is Holy. So when he comes from foreign land to
his village he would dust off his feet to remove foreign impurities.
In 21st century context, it implies
that, if at a place your message is not accepted, move out of that place. We
have been given the gospel of salvation and repentance, to introduce Christ to
others, if possible don’t accept it we are required to move out, no need to
waste our time in such a place and do not take or accept anything from there.
4. Have a sacred
consciousness where ever we go
Your
message is directly proportioned to the values, behavior and attitude of our
life. We need to consider the place we go as sacred. Barclay presents that it
is same as a Jew goes to the Temple, we need to accept our mission as entering
a sacred place. All our deeds reveals our identity. Christ calls us not to
profane places but to accept places as Holy.
Rev. Dr. V. S. Varughese (15th July 2014)