Gospel of Mark's Series: Section 4 Part 1: The disciples sent into mission ( 6:6-13)

Welcome to my Gospel of Mark Series. During 2012-13, each week, I will write a post about the Gospel of Mark as I review and explore each of the 16 chapters and how it may be applied in our daily lives. My goal is to understand and pray the Gospel of Mark.  I hope you will join me on this journey as we travel through the liturgical season of Year B.  

In today's post, we commence a new section which relates to Jesus in His mission ( 6: 6-8:30)  and we explore chapter 6:6-13 which is the disciples sent into mission.

With the brief sentence “Then He went about among the villages teaching”, Mark  commences the stories of missionary journeys of Jesus and his disciples beyond the familiar synagogues and towns of the lakeside.

After the ‘failure’  in the synagogue in Nazareth, Jesus no longer teaches in the synagogues and towns, but continues his teaching moving among the villages of the countryside.  He calls the twelve, whom He chose earlier (3:14), and sends them two by two on a mission, asking of them the same mobility and flexibility.  In Jewish law two are necessary for a valid witness.

The are sent to share in the mission of Jesus to reveal the kingdom of God in the world.  The authority to do this, which Jesus has from God, He gives to them.  It is an authority that goes beyond teaching in words and shows itself in a new power over evils spirits which oppress people, to free people from sickness and to turn human hearts towards God.

Like John the Baptiser, the disciples do not explicitly proclaim the kingdom in words.  In Mark’s Gospel, Jesus alone does this.

They are to be mobile, symbolised the travelling staff, and they are to be flexible, living in simplicity without provision from food, money or extra clothing, trusting in the providence of God.  Like Jesus they are to remain in a place as long as they are made welcome.  The gesture of wiping the feet before leaving was a sign among the Jews of separating oneself from a people who lacked true faith in God.

The six pairs of disciples leave Jesus and go off to witness to the coming of the kingdom of God into the world.  They call for a radical turning to God, they drive out demons and they anoint the sick with oil.

In our journal and/or our discussion group we may wish to reflect on this passage as follows:

• Name the key points that you have learnt about the person of Jesus in this passage of scripture?
• Reflect on the keywords in this passage for they contain the substance and purpose of all the things Jesus said and did-
• Consider my relationship with Jesus  in the light of this Gospel passage.
• Reflect on the simplicity of lifestyle Jesus asks and consider how much I seek this as a way to experience God’s power in my life.
• Consider what power Jesus shares with the twelve.  Try to enter into something of their feelings as they set out?
• Ponder on the effect for the disciples their of lack of worldly goods for the journey Jesus asks of them at the beginning of the journey and their faith in Jesus?  
• Reflect on how the disciples needs were taken care of by those whom they visited and how they must have felt as they realized the providence of God?
• How do I relate to this story of Jesus offering me the mission to preach the gospel of the Kingdom of God.  Make a list of areas in my life that need a change of heart and develop an action plan on how this change of heart might occur. (eg name an area and name one/two changes that you will implement with God's help.
• What impact does Jesus’ teaching have on you (6:6-13).
• How has this passage spoken to you- what does it say to you personally?