Ordinary, or Extraordinary?
Opening Prayer
Lord Jesus, what an extraordinary God and Savior You are! I bow in praise and worship before You now.
Read Mark 6:6-13
[6] And he was amazed at their lack of faith. Then Jesus went around teaching from village to village. [7] Calling the Twelve to him, he sent them out two by two and gave them authority over evil spirits. [8] These were his instructions: “Take nothing for the journey except a staff-no bread, no bag, no money in your belts. [9] Wear sandals but not an extra tunic. [10] Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you leave that town. [11] And if any place will not welcome you or listen to you, shake the dust off your feet when you leave, as a testimony against them.” [12] They went out and preached that people should repent. [13] They drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them. Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.
Reflect
Why do you think Jesus sent them out in pairs?Who were these 12 that they did such amazing things (13)? What was so special about them? In v. 7 we find three things that enable these ordinary people to do extraordinary things. First, Jesus called them to him. They had spent time with Jesus. They knew him intimately. They carried something of his presence with them as they went. Next, Jesus sent them. They didn’t go just because they felt like it. They went because they were sent. They went in obedience. Lastly, Jesus gave them authority. Their boldness in healing the sick and casting out demons was rooted in this. The disciples had watched Jesus heal; they knew it always worked! So they spoke in faith, knowing that they had his authority, just as a country’s ambassador acts with the authority of the head of state.
We are Jesus’ disciples too. He has called us to him so that we can enjoy being with him, and also so that he can send us out to tell others about him and set people free (3:14,15). We may be just ordinary people, but if we are called by him and sent by him, we can do extraordinary things.
Apply
How do you feel about being “sent out” by Jesus? Will you go in obedience and share his Good News? How?
Closing prayer
Lord Jesus, I want to be obedient to Your call. Prepare me and use me to do extraordinary things for You.
Click here to sign up to receive the EXTRAs via email each quarter.
© 2024 Scripture Union U.S.A. All rights reserved. Reproduction of the whole or any part of the contents without written permission is prohibited.
Discovery is published in the USA under license from Scripture Union England and Wales, Trinity House, Opal Court, Opal Drive, Fox Milne, Milton Keynes, MK15 0DF.