A Disciple’s Commission: Part 2

Mark 6:7-13

One significant difference between the setting in Luke 9 and today is hospitality. In biblical culture, hospitality was a requirement! The widow in Zarephath took her last food and gave it to the prophet Elijah. She had no idea God would use her obedience to sustain her and her son, yet she showed hospitality. If you read the Scriptures carefully, you’ll repeatedly see this display of costly, self-sacrificing hospitality. It was this kind of hospitality the disciples were to rely on.

            Even today, hospitality in the eastern part of the world is given much more readily than in the West. In the Southeast Asian countries I’ve visited, I’ve experienced this kind of hospitality. People have so little compared to what most of us in the West enjoy, yet they gladly sacrifice their best to entertain a stranger! It’s a humbling experience.

            A widow who hosted us killed one of her laying hens to provide a meal for us Bible teachers. She lived next door to the venue of the classes, and I saw her catch the chicken around noon. Later that evening, she served that chicken to us as part of the meal in her home. We gathered in a bedroom, sat on the beds, and had wonderful fellowship together around that meal. Killing that chicken was a sacrifice for her; it meant no more eggs from that one.  

            Another part of this command was where they were to stay as they proclaimed the Gospel. Jesus told them to go to one house and, once they were received there, to stay as long as they were in that town. How would you like that kind of visitor?

            So, if Jesus does not expect you and me to follow this delineated simplicity literally, should we ignore it and move on? That is not why the Holy Spirit moved Mark to record this teaching. Once again, there are broader principles here.

            Did you ever think about how much more quickly the Gospel could be spread if we all learned to live with less? Some of you think I left off preaching and have gone to meddling! But Jesus does not ask His disciples, then or now, to do things He was unwilling to do. Jesus stated in His teaching that food and clothing are the two necessities of our human existence. We often add a third one – I think, legitimately – shelter. But my possessions go way beyond those necessities, and I assume yours do, too.

            It’s not hard to see how our failure to live simply affects our ability to proclaim the Gospel, whether we serve in our local community or halfway around the world.

            Most people who feel called to missions need training to prepare for the field. They take time to be mentored or discipled by those with mission experience. Sometimes, that training saddles them with financial debts. (I don’t think that’s God’s plan, but it happens.) So, they must work for a few years to pay off that debt. Then, once that’s done, they need to raise support to go to the field of their calling. Some of them will spend many months raising finances to afford a standard of living similar to what they enjoyed at home. When they get to the field, that difference in their living standard creates barriers to the Gospel.

            There are, however, a growing number of people who are pursuing a different path. They understand the need for training in missions, and they are getting that training. But once the training is finished, they head for their particular field of service, trusting God to provide for their needs. Family, friends, and even local church congregations support them, but they do not ask for funds. When they have needs, they pray and ask God to supply them. If others ask about their work or if they have needs, they freely and honestly answer the questions. However, they do not require a certain level of funding before they leave for the field. Their way of doing it seems closer to the model Jesus introduces here.

            Many stay at home in their local communities and enjoy a familiar environment. They maintain employment, build up their savings or retirement accounts, and purchase a vacation home somewhere. Late-model vehicles with lots of options and remodeling projects on their houses consume more resources. They have the latest ‘toys’ and electronic gadgets that the world uses as symbols of status.

            They know their resources should enable them to share the Gospel freely, but their lifestyle requires increasing finances. Some even give generously to missions to support those who have gone to a foreign field. But from all appearances, their goal seems to be accumulation rather than gospel proclamation. And that accumulation process can also prevent them from sharing the gospel with their neighbors.

            I admit that this principle of delineated simplicity is difficult in a culture that measures success by the amount of things we have. We really should not be looking for the approval of our culture but for the approval of God on our lives and our lifestyle. The gospel is countercultural!

            If you and I plan to obey this principle, and we must, it will take intentional effort. We must make conscious choices to reject a materialistic worldview. Under the Holy Spirit’s guidance, we can forego certain things, so more resources are available to proclaim the Gospel. This self-denial does not earn us salvation or favor with God. It is simply a matter of discipleship, voluntarily limiting myself so that others may learn of God’s love for them through Jesus.

            I tend to look at others, especially those who have more than I do, and find fault with their lifestyle. But I must ask God how well I’m doing in delineated simplicity. Are there changes I need to make to obey this principle of delineated simplicity? I’m sure there are. I believe God wants you to examine your lifestyle, too!

            The Scriptures teach that we, followers of Jesus, will one day need to give an account of our stewardship. I’m not sure what will be included in that reckoning and how the Lord will handle that process, but wouldn’t it be tragic if He revealed to us that because of our lavish lifestyle, people missed Heaven because they never heard the Gospel?

            And here’s another question for you to ponder. “Does our failure to live simply affect the first principle, the flow of delegated authority through our lives? Will God entrust you and me with His authority if we fail to embrace this second principle?” Serious reflection on those questions will likely call for changes in our lives.

            If you and I will effectively fulfill our commission to proclaim the Gospel, we cannot ignore this principle of delineated simplicity.

The Final PRINCIPLE is,

            Demarcated Responsibility

            To demarcate something means to set boundaries. Jesus set clear boundaries for the Twelve, outlining their responsibility. They were fully equipped to carry out their responsibilities, but they were not responsible for those accepting or rejecting their message.

            Jesus told the disciples to be selective in finding a base of operations for their ministry. He told them to inquire about a suitable place in the town. If they found the advice accurate, they would stay there as long as they were active in the area. They weren’t to move from house to house in the quest for better accommodations. When they left that home, the peace they had brought, authorized by the Master, would rest in that household.

            There was one final possibility – outright rejection. If they came to a house and were rejected out of hand, when they left town, they were to shake off the dust of their feet as a witness of condemnation against the house or city that refused them.

            Rejecting these ambassadors of Christ was a serious matter. Matthew and Mark both record Jesus, saying that more mercy would be shown to Sodom and Gomorrah on the Day of Judgment than to those cities that refused the disciples’ witness. Knowing the sin of Sodom and Gomorrah, we may wonder how this can be.

            Here is part of the reason: Jesus’ authority sent out the Twelve. Those who rejected them were not simply rejecting the disciples—they were rejecting Jesus. The punishment for rejecting Jesus’ disciples was severe. Sodom and Gomorrah also rejected their heavenly messengers and look at their punishment.

            This warning recalls the words of Jesus in Luke 12:47 and 48; “ And that servant, which knew his Lord’s will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. But he who knew not and did commit things worthy of stripes shall be beaten with a few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.”

            In the final verse of our text, we read that after receiving instructions, the disciples went through the towns, casting out demons, anointing the sick with oil and healing everywhere. They took their commission seriously and exercised the authority Jesus granted them.

            Today, we, like them, have a demarcated responsibility. We have been given what we call “The Great Commission.” It is a mandate to take the gospel of Christ to the whole world. In that commission, we are commanded to make disciples of every people group. Part of that process is teaching them to keep, obey, and guard all things that Jesus commanded (that includes the entire New Testament). If we do that, we are promised the presence of Jesus as long as the world stands. Our mission, our responsibility, is clearly defined.

            Also, like the Twelve, we are not responsible for what people do with the message. God will hold them accountable for their response. However, we should not do things that will hinder people’s response to the message. Our character, our conduct, and our lifestyle should be things that point people to Christ, not turn them away.

            If you follow Christ, I urge you to reflect on the commission you have to proclaim the gospel. Do you understand that your authority as a disciple has been delegated to you? The power and authority to proclaim the Gospel is not inherent in you; it is something you have received. You must never forget that!

            And how are you fleshing out the principle of delineated simplicity? Have you thought about how much more quickly the Gospel could be spread, how many more people could hear the Good News if you and I learned to live with less? It’s not too hard to see how our failure to live simply affects our ability to proclaim the Gospel, whether we serve in our local community or halfway around the world.

            Finally, have you accepted the principle of demarcated responsibility? Do you know what God expects of you as one of His children? What role are you filling in the command to make disciples of all nations? As one who has received a disciple’s commission, how well do you understand these principles, and are they a part of your daily life?

            Gracious Heavenly Father, we come to you in Jesus’ name, confessing our need for you. We find it so easy to forget about or ignore the commission we all have to proclaim the gospel. We find it easy to be overcome by the cares of this life and the deceitfulness of riches. Oh God, forgive us and open our eyes to the needs of those around us.

            Thank you, Father, for the opportunity and privilege of looking into your Word with my listening friend. Thank you for speaking to our hearts through your Holy Spirit and calling us to a deeper understanding and practice of these essential principles. May our lives be changed as a result of our study and your Spirit’s working in us. May the lives of those around us be changed as we share the gospel with them. I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.