I found myself wondering about all the people in our gospel reading today.Not just Jesus and the disciples, but all the other people. Those in Nazareth who couldn’t let their human perception and jealousy down. The few that Jesus healed. Those who met up with the disciples as they were sent out on their field trip by their teacher.
People in Jesus’ day lived in very different circumstances than we do .
They did not have an independence day to celebrate because they were a conquered people. The rulers of their land were foreigners. The Romans, as we know, were not compassionate rulers.
The people were poor, hungry, destitute. They depended on the rich to give them jobs. They paid high taxes. Medicine, even antiquated, was unaffordable or unavailable.
They feared for their lives. Not only because the ruling regime was ruthless in its power but because many of their own were,out of desperation and anger and a false hope, brought violence into their own communities.
Young girls and boys faced slavery and sexual abuse from the Romans. And of course, girls were married off at young ages for the sake of their families. All of this was lived out in a place where Roman cruelty was on display all around the city.
While we are certainly more fortunate, I do not believe it is unfair to see ourselves in many of the situations the people in our story were facing.
And it is these people, the broken, the hungry, the afraid, that Jesus comes to reach. It is these people that he sends the disciples out to minister to. In fact, please make note, Jesus and his disciples live in this same world. They were not rich or powerful people. They were people just like us. It is easy to forget this truth. And they proclaimed God’s love to those around them.
So what lessons can we find in the stories Mark gives us? Is there something here that Jesus is teaching not only his disciples but also us? Obviously I think so or I wouldn’t have headed down this path.
The first thing I see is vulnerability. I do not like being vulnerable. In fact, I believe none of us do! Jesus makes himself vulnerable when he goes home to proclaim the good news. He knew how prophets were treated in their hometowns. He read the scriptures! And still he went.
Human nature does not like to see someone who has been their equal rise up and become well known. Jealousy is a factor. But it also makes us feel like failures in comparison. Mark tells us they saw Jesus’ wisdom and knew of his miracles. To them, Jesus is truly human. His truth shines a very bright light on their falsehoods. And it hurts. Jesus knew this. He became vulnerable to their hurt.
Jesus also tells his disciples to go out without a lot of stuff, without a lot of things that might make them look important. He sends them out vulnerable to the hospitality of the people they come to serve. And he shows them that not everyone will receive them well.
Number two, Jesus shows them how to respond to those who will not receive them or their message– with humility. He does not get angry, he does not belittle, he does not demand honor. He simply acknowledges their lack of faith and moves on. In fact, he even heals the few who will receive. He is humble and compassionate.
And he tells his disciples the same thing. Receive what is given to you, and walk away from those who will not receive your message. Shake the dust off your feet, don’t carry the burden of their lack of faith or hospitality with you. No anger, no belittling, no demanding honor. Forcing one's faith on another does not bring healing or freedom from spiritual ills.
Reminds me of words from the cross: "Forgive them, they don’t know what they are doing.”
Number three, they were sent in pairs. We are not meant to be the lone wolf. It is lonely, scary, and we get some weird ideas in our heads when we go it alone. Jesus does take time by himself in prayer. But it is interesting how often he takes Peter, James and John with him.
Find a pastor, a spiritual director, a spiritual friend. Someone who will speak truth to you and remind you what the mission is. This spiritual journey God sends us on can not be walked alone.
Finally, I notice that Jesus gives them authority. In their vulnerability, in their apparent weakness, in their appearance of being without, they have authority. Not the kind of authority that the ones who rule their country wield. Rather, Authority to bring health and wholeness and the presence of God.
Paul’s words to the Corinthians explains this well. Let’s revisit 2 Corinthians 12 using the New Living Translation:
This boasting will do no good, but I must go on. I will reluctantly tell about visions and revelations from the Lord. 2 I was caught up to the third heaven fourteen years ago. Whether I was in my body or out of my body, I don’t know—only God knows. 3 Yes, only God knows whether I was in my body or outside my body. But I do know 4 that I was caught up to paradise and heard things so astounding that they cannot be expressed in words, things no human is allowed to tell.
5 That experience is worth boasting about, but I’m not going to do it. I will boast only about my weaknesses. 6 If I wanted to boast, I would be no fool in doing so, because I would be telling the truth. But I won’t do it, because I don’t want anyone to give me credit beyond what they can see in my life or hear in my message, 7 even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud.
8 Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. 9 Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. 10 That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Paul knew God in a very real way. And Paul knew his own weakness. He knew humility. This is how we are to bring the proclamation of the good news of God. It is in our humility God’s authority is manifested.
The disciples knew Jesus in person. But Jesus showed them, it was in their vulnerability, humility, and compassion they would find the authority to bring wholeness to those around them.
Being forceful and arrogant is not the authority our Lord gives.
We have a lot to learn, don’t we? May we follow their lead.