In Mark 6:7-13, Jesus sends His disciples out two by two. In part two of “The Disciples’ Commission,” J. Mark explores Jesus’ command for His disciples to live with simplicity and highlights how that same principle applies to us today. He also examines the responsibility Christ gave His disciples and the responsibility we carry as His followers now.
Transcript
It is a pleasure to be with you today for another look into the Word of God; what a privilege. Today, we will complete the lesson we began last time on the Disciples Commission. We are examining the story in which Jesus sends out the 12 disciples two by two. These lessons have three points: delegated authority, delineated simplicity, and defined responsibility. We will finish today’s lesson with the last two. In case you missed it, we discussed the authority Jesus gives to His followers. Today, we will conclude delineated simplicity, meaning that Jesus precisely described what they needed. Also, note the defined responsibility: Jesus setting the boundaries and limits of what they were to do.
If you can, turn to Mark 6. J. Mark will begin the lesson by reading verses 7-13.
7 And He called the twelve to Himself, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them power over unclean spirits.
8 He commanded them to take nothing for the journey except a staff—no bag, no bread, no copper in their money belts—
9 but to wear sandals, and not to put on two tunics.
10 Also, He said to them, “In whatever place you enter a house, stay there till you depart from that place.
11 And whoever will not receive you nor hear you, when you depart from there, shake off the dust under your feet as a testimony against them. Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!”
12 So they went out and preached that people should repent.
13 And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick, and healed them.
One significant difference between the setting in Luke 9 and contemporary contexts lies in hospitality. In biblical culture, hospitality was a requirement! Even today, hospitality in the eastern part of the world is given much more readily than in the West. In the Southeast Asian countries I’ve visited, I’ve experienced this kind of hospitality. People have so little compared to what most of us in the West enjoy, yet they gladly sacrifice their best to entertain a stranger! It’s a humbling experience.
A widow who lived next door to the seminar venue invited us, the Bible teachers, to a meal. Around noon, I saw her catch a chicken from her yard. Later that evening, she served us that chicken as part of the meal. We gathered in a bedroom, sat on the beds, and had wonderful fellowship together around that meal. Killing that chicken was a sacrifice for her; it meant no more eggs from that one. Yet she was so happy we accepted her invitation.
Another aspect of this delineated simplicity concerned where they were to stay during this mission. Jesus told them to go to one house and, once they were welcomed, to stay as long as they were in that town. How would you like that kind of visitor?
If Jesus does not expect us to follow this delineated simplicity literally, should we ignore it and move on? That is not why the Holy Spirit moved Mark to record this teaching.
Have you ever considered how much more quickly the Gospel could be spread if we all learned to live with less? Some of you think I left off preaching and have gone to meddling! But Jesus does not ask His disciples, then or now, to do things He was unwilling to do. Jesus taught that food and clothing are the two necessities of our existence. We often add a third one – shelter. But my possessions go way beyond those necessities, and I assume yours do, too.
It’s not hard to see how our failure to be content with the basics affects our ability to proclaim the Gospel, whether we serve in our local community or halfway around the world.
Most people called to cross-cultural missions need training to prepare for the field. Sometimes, that training saddles them with financial debts. (I don’t think that’s God’s plan, but it happens.) Therefore, they must work for a few years to repay that debt. Then, once that’s done, they need to raise support to go to the field of their calling. Some of them will spend many months raising funds to maintain a standard of living comparable to that they enjoyed at home. When they get to the field, that difference in their standard of living creates barriers to the Gospel.
However, a growing number of people are pursuing a different path. Once their training is complete, they proceed to their field of service, trusting God to provide for their needs. Family, friends, and even local church congregations support them, but they do not ask for funds. When they have needs, they pray and ask God to supply them. If others ask about their work, they answer the questions freely and honestly. However, they don’t require a certain level of funding before they leave for the field. Their model seems closer to the one Jesus introduces here.
Others remain in their local communities and enjoy a familiar environment. They maintain employment, build up their savings or retirement accounts, and purchase a vacation home. They know their wealth should enable them to share the Gospel freely, but their lifestyle requires greater financial resources. Some even give generously to missions. But from all appearances, their goal seems to be accumulation rather than gospel proclamation.
This principle of delineated simplicity is difficult in a culture that measures success by the number of things we have. We should not seek the approval of our culture but the approval of God in our lives and our lifestyle. The gospel is countercultural!
If you and I plan to obey this principle, it will take intentional effort. We must consciously reject a materialistic worldview. Under the Holy Spirit’s guidance, we can forgo certain things, making more resources available to proclaim the Gospel. This self-denial does not earn us salvation. It is simply a matter of discipleship, voluntarily limiting myself so that others may learn of God’s love for them through Jesus.
I tend to look at others and find fault with their lifestyle. But I must ask God how well I’m doing in delineated simplicity. Are there any changes I need to make to comply with this principle of delineated simplicity? I’m sure there are. I believe God wants you to examine your lifestyle as well.
The Scriptures teach that we will one day be held accountable for our stewardship. I’m not sure what will be included in that reckoning and how the Lord will handle that process, but wouldn’t it be tragic if He revealed to us that because of our lavish lifestyle, people missed Heaven because they never heard the Gospel?
Here is another question for you to consider. “Does our failure to live simply affect the first principle, the flow of delegated authority through our lives? Will God entrust you and me with His authority if we fail to embrace this second principle?” Serious reflection on those questions will likely call for changes in our lives.
If you and I will effectively fulfill our commission to proclaim the Gospel, we cannot ignore this principle of delineated simplicity.
The Final PRINCIPLE is,
Defined Responsibility
To define responsibility means to set boundaries. Jesus set clear boundaries for the Twelve. They were fully equipped to carry out their responsibilities, but they were not responsible for those who accepted or rejected their message.
Jesus told the disciples to be selective in finding a base for their ministry. He told them to inquire about a suitable place in the town. If they found the advice accurate, they would stay there as long as they were active in the area. They weren’t to move in search of better accommodations. When they left that home, the peace they had brought, authorized by the Master, would rest in that household.
There was one final possibility – outright rejection. If they came to a house and were rejected out of hand, when they left town, they were to shake off the dust of their feet as a witness of condemnation against the house or city that refused them.
Rejecting these ambassadors of Christ was a serious matter. Matthew and Mark both record Jesus saying that more mercy would be shown to Sodom and Gomorrah on the Day of Judgment than to those cities that refused the disciples’ witness. Knowing the sin of Sodom and Gomorrah, we may wonder how this can be.
Here is part of the reason: Jesus’ authority sent out the Twelve. Those who rejected them were not simply rejecting the disciples—they were rejecting Jesus. The punishment for rejecting Jesus’ disciples was severe. Sodom and Gomorrah also rejected their heavenly messengers; consider their punishment.
In the final verse of our text, we read that after receiving instructions, the disciples went through the towns, casting out demons, anointing the sick with oil, and healing everywhere. They took their commission seriously and exercised the authority Jesus granted them.
Today, we, like them, have a defined responsibility. We have been given a mandate to take the gospel of Christ to the whole world, to make disciples of every people group. Part of that process is teaching them to keep, obey, and guard all that Jesus commanded (including the entire New Testament). If we do that, we are promised the presence of Jesus as long as the world stands. Our mission and our responsibility are clearly defined.
Like the Twelve, we are not responsible for how people use the message. God will hold them accountable for their response. However, we shouldn’t do things that hinder people’s response to the message. Our character, our conduct, and our lifestyle should point people to Christ, not turn them away.
If you follow Christ, I urge you to reflect on the commission to proclaim the gospel. Do you understand that your authority as a disciple has been delegated to you? The power and authority to proclaim the Gospel is not inherent in you; it is something you have received. You must never forget that!
And how are you living out the principle of delineated simplicity? Have you considered how much more quickly the Gospel could be spread, and how many more people could hear the Good News, if we learned to live with less? It’s not too hard to see how our failure to live simply affects our ability to proclaim the Gospel, whether we serve in our local community or halfway around the world.
Finally, have you accepted the principle of defined responsibility? Do you know what God expects of you as one of His children? What role are you filling in the command to make disciples of all nations? As one who has received a disciple’s commission, how well do you understand these principles, and are they a part of your daily life?
Thanks, J Mark. We are not the 12 disciples, but the principles shared with us are good ones to put into practice as we serve Jesus wherever we are. This is one reason the Bible is so incredible. God knows people, and in His Word, He gives lessons for all people, all the time. May His Spirit guide you as you put these principles into practice right where you are.
If you have any questions about today’s lesson or if you would like to contact us, please let us know. You can contact us by email or online. Our email address is hope@heraldsofhope.org, and our website is heraldsofhope.org. There, go to the “partner” tab at the top. Under this tab, you will see “contact us”; from there, you can message us directly. We look forward to hearing from you soon.
Thanks so much for being with us today, for the last part of a disciple’s commission. Discipleship is learning from Jesus and becoming more like Him. This won’t happen automatically; we must be intentional and fight for it like Paul said, “I fight, not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection.” This is good advice, and this is also what we must do.
