sent

^{Scripture: Mark 6:7-13.}

^7-8 Jesus called the Twelve to him, and sent them out in pairs. He gave them authority and power to deal with the evil opposition. He sent them off with these instructions:

^8-9 “Don’t think you need a lot of extra equipment for this. You are the equipment. No special appeals for funds. Keep it simple.
¹⁰ “And no luxury inns. Get a modest place and be content there until you leave.
¹¹ “If you’re not welcomed, not listened to, quietly withdraw. Don’t make a scene. Shrug your shoulders and be on your way.”
^12-13 Then they were on the road. They preached with joyful urgency that life can be radically different; right and left they sent the demons packing; they brought wellness to the sick, anointing their bodies, healing their spirits.

Observation:  Jesus did not do what he did alone.  He invited 12 others to join with him in the health and justice movement he was advancing.  12 people would remind the Jews of their origin story in Genesis, in which the 12 tribes of Israel were first identified.  He sent them in pairs.  This sending onto mission is what gave them the title "apostles" which means "sent".  No one goes alone. Partnership is an important characteristic of this movement. This mission required a community of friends, willing to go all in together. 
Jesus gives them power to "deal with the opposition."   And he advises them about their response to rejection, as if they ought to expect it.  These people were not well-trained experts.  They were not experienced leaders or practitioners of this work.  Jesus suggests that they don't need anything more, that their presence is enough.  It is clear, however, that they were sent to people who were sick, to people who were failing to thrive, to people who were disoriented, to people who were struggling to live "in the light." The opposition included religious people, political leaders, and those whose power came from wealth.  It also included mental and physical illness.  

Application:   Jesus chooses ordinary people to spread the good news of God's powerful mercy.  He recruits and sends people who are willing to go and share.  It is a movement of anybodies for everybody, and especially for those who desired healing and a better life.  The learning is in the doing of the work, the encounters they will face along the way.  Participants can anticipate rejection, because we are challenged to confront systems of injustice, oppression, and sin.  (Sin is the inner condition of the human heart that draws us away  from the right path, the lighted way, the good and righteous cause.  Both indifference to evil and active malice are equally sinful.  No one is exempt from it's power.)  When it's hard, we ought not to get discouraged, but simply move on.  Jesus' followers have seen and heard him in action, and are now invited to imitate him. He expected them to be able to do what he did. And they did it!  Simplicity, humility, community, and joy characterize their journey.  We have been invited to be part of Jesus' healing work, too.   

Prayer:  O Lord, we dare to believe that we can be your disciples.  Send us together to spread your compassion, your forgiveness, your peace.  Give us courage to confront injustice with urgency and hope.    Amen.