Calling the Twelve to him, he began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over impure spirits. These were his instructions: “Take nothing for the journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in your belts. Wear sandals but not an extra shirt.
Mark 6:7–9
This is the first time in Mark’s gospel that the 12 Apostles are sent out on mission. They’ve been watching Jesus minister and helping Him minister and learning from Him. But now they are sent out.
And I think we should take special notice of what Jesus did and did not send with them because every believer has been sent out to be a witness like the apostles. Every believer has been commanded to go and share the message of repentance and grace with a lost and dying world. So I want to see what Jesus sent them with, so I can see what we need in order to be an effective witness for Jesus.
The first thing I notice is that Jesus didn’t send them out with a seminary degree or a library of theological books. He didn’t tell them they needed to be eloquent or smarter than their audience. Many times we think we need these things to be used by God. And since many of us don’t have these things, we think “God can’t use me.” Or maybe, “I’m off the hook.” But Jesus didn’t send the 12 out with any of these things, so you don’t need them. God can use you to do big things without any of these things.
But what did Jesus send them with? He sent every disciple out with a partner. Jesus could have sent the disciples out in 12 different directions, but He didn’t. The very first thing God gave these men when He sent them out into the world to be a witness was a partner, a friend, someone they could trust and rely on and lean on and turn to for advice and share their ministry with. You need that too.
What this tells us is that we aren’t strong enough to go it alone. You need someone to walk the road of faith with you. Find someone who can encourage you and pray for you and help you grow in your faith and then, be that for them too... because we all need someone to help us reach our potential in the Lord.
Lastly, Jesus sent them out with no supplies. You could argue that this was a terrible plan! Jesus, essentially sends them out with no provisions... only faith. They have no money for their ministry. They have no extra tunic or sandals. They aren’t even allowed to bring extra bread.
Why would Jesus send them out like this? So, they wouldn’t forget how much they needed God. You see, Jesus gave the 12 power to heal the sick and cast out demons. This could have puffed them up with pride. They could have started thinking they were accomplishing these things in their own power instead of God’s. But their lack of provision put them in a state of weakness and acted as a counterbalance to all that power. It reminded them that they couldn’t even guarantee their next meal, let alone heal anyone or lead anyone to salvation apart from Him. Their lack of provision made sure they didn’t forget how much they needed God.
You don’t need money or any other supplies to obey God. If God has laid something on your heart- maybe a desire to start a ministry or a heart to become a missionary or calling to become a pastor or to plant a church- don’t think “I don’t have the money to do that.” Or “I don’t have this” Or “I don’t have that.” If God called you to do it, then He will provide what you need every step of the way. If you have God’s blessing, God’s calling, and a fellow believer to go along with you; then you have all you need. Step out in faith and obey what He has put on your heart and trust Him to provide for your needs.
For further consideration...
- I would argue that the recent revival that has broken out at Asbury University in Kentucky proves this point. Do you agree?
