The Most Important Lesson
Mark 6:7,8 Jesus called his twelve apostles together. He sent them out in groups of two and gave them power over evil spirits. This is what he told them: “Take nothing for your trip except a stick for walking. Take no bread, no bag, and no money.”
I’ve heard people say that “God never asks you to do something that’s beyond you.” Hmm, I don’t know what planet they’re living on, because God almost always asks me to do things that are way, way … way beyond me.
Let’s imagine for a moment that you’re Jesus. You decide to send your disciples out on a field trip; a short-term mission to put into practice what they’d been learning from you. Good decision. So you start planning the trip …
Now, what do I need to organise? Their itinerary, accommodation, transport … oh, and they’ll need some money. I mean, I just can’t send them out there with nothing.
But look at how He actually did it:
Mark 6:7,8 Jesus called his twelve apostles together. He sent them out in groups of two and gave them power over evil spirits. This is what he told them: “Take nothing for your trip except a stick for walking. Take no bread, no bag, and no money.”
Really? Why would you do that? Simple. Because the most important thing that those disciples needed to learn wasn’t that they had the power to cast out demons. No, the most important thing they had to learn was to trust Jesus. The most important thing they had to learn was that when God gives you a job to do, He provides you the wherewithal to get it done.
Sometimes we get to thinking of God as being some kind of corporate executive, strategic planner, CEO, consulting guru all wrapped into one. But that completely misses the point.
His ways aren’t our ways. His thoughts aren’t our thoughts.
Yes, He involves us in His plans. Yes, doubtless those disciples had to make wise choices along the way. But the most important thing they had to learn was to trust Jesus.
That’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.
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Josephine
There’s been some problems within my family for some time now and somehow the thought, ‘live by faith and not by ...
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There’s been some problems within my family for some time now and somehow the thought, ‘live by faith and not by sight’, would pop into my mind now and again. I know it’s from God.
Your message today was a confirmation of that statement. Although sometimes I forget. Perhaps I should put that statement in view to remind me so I can think of it more often. Thank you Bernie. Regards Josephine