Mark 6:10-13

NOTE: Because of an inability to post during the upcoming days, I have posted ahead of schedule.  You may scroll down to see the passage that you are studying for the particular day.  You may also click on the passage in the list below and be taken straight to the post for which you are looking.  The schedule that I followed is this:

FRIDAY, April 5: Mark 5:21-24
SATURDAY, April 6: Mark 5:25-29
SUNDAY, April 7: Mark 5:30-34
MONDAY, April 8: Mark 5:35-37
TUESDAY, April 9: Mark 5:38-40
WEDNESDAY, April 10: Mark 5:41-43
THURSDAY, April 11: Mark 6:1-3
FRIDAY, April 12: Mark 6:4-6
SATURDAY, April 13: Mark 6:7-9
SUNDAY, April 14: Mark 6:10-13

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FOR SUNDAY, April 14

Passage

Jesus instructs the disciples that whenever they go into a location, they are to stay there until they leave the place entirely.  Jesus also tells the disciples that if a place will not receive them, then they are to shake the dust off of their feet and leave as a testimony against them.  The disciples follow Jesus’ instructions and proclaim that people should repent.  They cast out many demons and healed many who were sick.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Jesus is not telling the disciples that if they go into a person’s home that they cannot leave that home until they are ready to leave the whole town.  Rather, Jesus is telling the disciples to remain focused.  If God calls them to a particular town or a particular household, that should be their focus.  They can come and go to do tasks (like accompanying people in their life).  But their focus needs to remain on the task at hand.

How good are you at maintaining your focus?  Do you think it is wise for Jesus to advise these people to maintain their focus?

Second Thought:

Jesus tells His disciples that there will be people who won’t receive them.  That’s okay.  In fact, Jesus tells them not to pursue them.  They aren’t to go chasing after anyone.  They are to focus on the people who are willing to receive them.

This is a really huge point that we in the modern church often forget.  Jesus NEVER chased after anyone.  If they received Him, great.  If they didn’t receive His message, fine.  Jesus understands that not everyone is at a place in their life where they will be receptive.  What a wonderful piece of advice to be allowed to focus on those in your life who are telling you that they are ready to receive!

Why do we in the church often feel like we have to chase after people?  Where does this kind of feeling ultimately lead?  When we feel like we have to appease other people or make them happy, what do we in the church ultimately end up teaching to other people?  Why is there a tremendous amount of freedom in being able to focus on the specific people who are ready to receive what God has to offer through you?

Third Thought:

The disciples follow Jesus’ instructions.  They begin with the need for everyone to repent.

Why is it important to begin with our need as human beings to repent?  If we begin anywhere else, what are we likely to miss with respect to a genuine relationship with God?  Why do we often start in places other than our need to repent before God?

Passage for Tomorrow: Mark 6:14-16