Mark 6:7-13

Jesus sent out his disciples to minister, seemingly fairly early in his ministry. He didn't send them out alone--they had his authority with them, and they had a friend--they went out in pairs. I'm reminded of the verses in Ecclesiastes 4:11-13: "Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered,
two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. " (NIV)

As we work together with other believers, we can draw on the Holy Spirit to help us accomplish the work of God. Two together are great--but that third strand--the power of God--gives us extra and eternal strength. We do not need much else--the disciples took only a staff, and were dependent on those they visited to minister to them as well. If any did not welcome them, Jesus instructed them to shake the dust off their feet and leave.

But to those who did receive them, they had power to heal and drive out demons. In our world today, we are often isolated and independent. Perhaps if we drew together more and called upon the Lord together, we would see miraculous things happen in our time.

- posted by Suzi @ 7:29 AM