Jesus Sends out the Twelve

IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

Jesus Sends out the Twelve

Date: Mar. 18, 2016

Passage

Mark 6:1-13 (ESV)

1 He went away from there and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. 2 And on the Sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished, saying, “Where did this man get these things? What is the wisdom given to him? How are such mighty works done by his hands? 3 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. 4 And Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor, except in his hometown and among his relatives and in his own household.” 5 And he could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and healed them. 6 And he marveled because of their unbelief.

And he went about among the villages teaching.

7 And he called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. 8 He charged them to take nothing for their journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in their belts—9 but to wear sandals and not put on two tunics. 10 And he said to them, “Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you depart from there. 11 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.” 12 So they went out and proclaimed that people should repent. 13 And they cast out many demons and anointed with oil many who were sick and healed them.

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Daily Bread

Key Verse: 6:7

And he called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits.

First, Jesus returns to his hometown (1-6a). Jesus knew very well about how "a prophet is not without honor except in his own town". The last time, while Jesus was in Nazareth, the townspeople had tried to throw him off a cliff! One wonders why he would ever go back there. Jesus had compassion for all the people he grew up with and he longed for them to accept him as their Lord and Savior. So he returned with his disciples and taught in the synagogue. Unfortunately, they rejected him a second time and because of their unbelief there was no point in Jesus performing any new miracles.

Second, the ministry is multiplied (6b-13). The response of the townspeople didn't hinder Jesus at all. He went from village to village teaching the Word of God and breathed new life into the communities. However, Jesus still wanted to reach more people. His desire has always been to reach each and every person with the words of life. For this purpose, he called his disciples and sent them out two by two, equipping them with his words and his authority. They preached the gospel, drove out demons, and healed the sick. In this way, the Kingdom of God grew tremendously.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, raise disciples in our generation and send them out to preach the gospel in every nation.

One Word: Jesus sends out his disciples

Jacob and Rebekah Deceive Isaac

Genesis 27:1-29

Key Verse: 27:19

Jacob said to his father, “I am Esau your firstborn. I have done as you told me; now sit up and eat of my game, that your soul may bless me.”

Today's Question

How is the word to be read and heard in order to become effective for salvation?

See answer and references