Sent to Stay and Invest, Not to Bail
Jesus went on to say to these messengers, “Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you depart from there. And if any place will not receive you and they will not listen to you, when you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them” (Mark 6.10–11″ data-version=”esv” data-purpose=”bible-reference”>Mark 6:10–11). These disciples—as well as his disciples today—will meet two kinds of people when we go into the world for Jesus. Some will receive us and listen to what we have to say. Others will reject us—cut us off and close the door.
“There is a name that loves the unworthy, redeems the hopeless, heals the sick and conquers every evil.”
If they will listen, Jesus says, do not leave too quickly. Stop, stay and invest where the word of God is welcomed. Don’t feel the need to move on to another house and another house. If they’ll have you and this gospel, be willing to stay awhile. This was likely a shorter trip for the 12, but the principle applies today in our fast-moving, over-scheduled society. Make room in your day, your month, your priorities to sit with men and women who will hear God’s word. Don’t be in such a hurry that you can’t patiently invest where God is moving in the ears and hearts of those around you. When he opens a door for the word (Colossians 4:3), walk through it.
Sent to Speak, Not to Save
Some will not listen. We should expect this in a world enslaved to sin and blind to the beauty of God. Don’t be shocked when you hear, “Thanks, but no thanks,” or worse. It doesn’t mean you necessarily picked a bad time or said it wrong. The gospel is the most offensive news you can bring—even though it’s also the sweetest, most true, most hope-filled news anyone could hear. You are wicked to your very core, broken in every way, and destined for unending wrath at the hands of an all-powerful God. And your only hope is in one message and one Man, no other. No wonder the world so often scoffs and screams at Christianity.
Jesus didn’t tell the disciples to stay until their audience surrendered. No, he said some will listen and others will not. I am not sending you to save, but to speak. I—and I alone—am the one who saves. Our commission is not to create listeners, but to discover them, and then make disciples of them. “I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep … they will listen to my voice” (John 10.14–16″ data-version=”esv” data-purpose=”bible-reference”>John 10:14–16).
Sent to Simply Change the World
How long were the disciples gone? We don’t know, but it seems like it wasn’t long. And there were only 12 of them, just six sets of two. That’s probably smaller than your small group. So how much could they really get done? The next verse says, “King Herod heard of it (the ministry of the 12), for Jesus’ name had become known” (Mark 6:14). They went out, six pairs of poor, ordinary, untrained, unlikely spokesmen, and what God was doing through them rose to the attention of the highest official in their land. Through their small and simple ministry, Jesus’ name became known in that city.
God will reveal his fame even through his bread-less, bag-less, penniless, but faithful followers. God will exalt the name of his Son through us—going before us in the hearts of our listeners, then sending us to speak the good news to them, all the while promising to go with us and provide us with everything we need along the way, and finally fulfilling and completing all that he calls us to do. Jesus’ name will be known, and believed, and treasured. May it happen through me.
Jesus’ name will be known, believed and treasured. May it happen through me.
