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Jesus was very surprised because those people did not have
faith. Then Jesus went to other villages in that area and
taught. Jesus called the twelve followers together. Jesus
sent them out in groups of two. Jesus gave them power over
evil spirits. This is what Jesus told his followers: "Take
nothing for your trip. Take only a stick for walking. Take no
bread, no bag, and no money in your pockets. Wear shoes, and
take only the clothes you are wearing. When you enter a
house, stay in that house until you leave that town. If any
town refuses to accept you or refuses to listen to you, then
leave that town. Shake their dust off your feet. This will be
a warning to them."
-- Mark 6:6-11 (ERV)
After witnessing Jesus' experience in Nazareth (in the preceding
verses), his disciples knew that not everyone would welcome their
Master, much less his teaching. They were under no illusions. If they
had any remaining doubts that they would meet resistance and rejection,
his directions to them made it clear that they would. He told them what
they were to take with them on their mission, how they were to conduct
themselves, and what they were to do when their message was not
received. However, their message was a vital one. They warned the
people about the importance of turning from their sins. They displayed
Jesus' power over the demonic world. They blessed many with healing. In
other words, they extended their Master's message to many more people
than Jesus could reach by himself. However, when they were rejected,
they were to move on and do God's work where it was more warmly
received, not wasting their time trying to convince those who would not
believe.
TODAY'S PRAYER:
O LORD God Almighty, thank you for your grace. Thank you for your
mercy. Thank you for your gospel. Please help me to not take rejection
of your message by others personally. Instead, dear Father, please use
me to help others understand that they are making a decision about
their life, their sins, their eternal destiny, and the source of their
grace. When rejection comes, help me to move on and trust that the
seeds of grace that have been planted may germinate at some other time,
but that there are others who need your message now and are ready to
hear it and need me to move on and find them. In Jesus' name I pray.
Amen.
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