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1 Peter 5:5d "For 'God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble."

Day 134 – Mark 6

“For ‘God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.'” 1 Peter 5:5d

NECESSARY BASIC INSTRUCTIONS

The Twelve were going to minister on their own for the first time. What a thrilling proposition that would be for them. In order to help them begin on a strong note, Jesus gave them some very basic but necessary instructions.

“He commanded them to take nothing for the journey
except a staff- no bag, no bread, no copper in their
money belts-
but to wear sandals, and not to put on two tunics.”
MARK 6:8-9

What were some of the reasons for these instructions given to The Twelve?

1. A lesson on obedience

The first lesson was surely one of “obedience”. Note how Mark emphasized the fact that Jesus “commanded” His disciples on how they should go about ministering.

2. A lesson on faith

The disciples had not fared very well with reference to learning about “faith”. This trip would give them every opportunity to exercise their faith.

a) They were not allowed to take anything with them.

b) Even basic necessities were not allowed:-

i) Bag

ii) Bread

iii) Copper in the money belt

iv) Not even a change of clothing

The above were things people carried with them when they were going to stay overnight somewhere. But even these “necessities” were forbidden. It is unmistakable that Jesus wanted His disciples to learn how to exercise their faith!

3. A lesson on focus

The Twelve would have to be very focused on their Mission.

i) They were to focus on teaching and preaching.

ii) They would have to focus on tapping the power that Jesus had given them should they come across powerful resistance from unclean spirits!