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Thursday, 24 January 2013

Mark 6:7-13 - Sending out the Twelve

Yet again we see the connection between teaching and "signs and wonders". Jesus went around teaching, as noted before He clearly saw this as a central part of His ministry. Then we see that He called the disciples to Himself and gave them authority over evil spirits. In the Bible there is no conflict between teaching and "signs and wonders". Teaching is the primary function, and it is served and backed up by the miracles side. We get things wrong if either we brush the supernatural side of things off to one side, or we place an undue prominence on the supernatural side. 
Jesus gave them authority. We are meant to serve as people under authority. When we are under authority we have authority. If we place ourselves under the authority of Jesus, then we have the authority of Jesus. Evil spirits are very real, but we have authority over them in Jesus name.
Jesus gave them two clear instructions. First, they were to travel light. Secondly they were to stay in the same place until the work was done, but if they were not welcomed, then they were to simply leave.
Now we must be careful to make a "law" out of Jesus' instructions on not taking money etc, but we also need to beware of over planning. We load up with so much junk that it stops us doing the actual work we were sent out to do. We make some provision, God makes all the provision. 
Some will welcome us, some will not. We need to accept the fact.
The disciples went out and preached repentance. Then yet again we see this being followed up with healings and casting out of demons. As far as the New Testament is concerned healings etc were a normal component of a teaching meeting!

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