“In This Together” – MARK 6:7-13

As the web of Jesus’ ministry is woven, two main threads emerge. Followers spend time with Him and then spend time together carrying out His will. The word “disciple” means a “learning follower” and stresses the dual aspects of both hearing and doing.

Even though we are individually accountable to Christ for our souls, He has called us together to be joined in purpose. If you are with Jesus, then we are in this together. Our task is to trust one another as a facet of our trust in Christ.

The work of Jesus was well established in Judea and the regions surrounding it. Everywhere He went the healing and wonders laid the foundation for the words of life that He spoke. The disciples saw and heard so they could be prepared to go and do. The time had now come for them to go (6:7). If the message they brought was fun and exciting, it would be one thing. Their commission, however, was one of the most unpopular ever to be spoken … repentance (6:12). They would go empty-handed into a world that was just waiting to reject them (6:11).

I cannot imagine the depth of the intimidation and fear that must have been within them. At least they had each other and would not have to go alone. While Jesus was training them to spread the gospel, the greater lesson was teaching them to trust.

They would go without food, and have to trust that God would provide for them through faithful people.

They would go with no bag and only one tunic, so that they would learn that when our faith is in our reserves our faith is misplaced.

They would go with no money, and they would learn to trust that all things belong to God and human wealth is neither a barrier nor a benefit to fulfilling their calling in Christ Jesus (6:8).

Even so, we are not left without protection. The disciples were sent out over hard roads, but were commanded to wear sandals (6:9). There is no doubt that our path is a hard one. Troubles will come and will cause us pain. God does not shield us from the rock, but provides a “layer” that stands between us and those rocks … Himself.

The message of trust is especially important from another perspective, as well. These disciples would heal diseases (6:13), and the danger of self-adulation was ever-present. It takes a tremendous amount of trust to not fall into the pit of arrogance as Christians, but to realize it is Christ working in us (6:7b).

Spend time with Him to prepare yourself for going out in His name. Know that there will be rocks to bruise you and victories to win. In victory and defeat He will never forsake you. And, never forget, we are in this together!