He went away from there and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. And on the Sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished, saying, “Where did this man get these things? What is the wisdom given to him? How are such mighty works done by his hands? Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. And Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor, except in his hometown and among his relatives and in his own household.” And he could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and healed them. And he marveled because of their unbelief. And he went about among the villages teaching. And he called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. He charged them to take nothing for their journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in their belts— but to wear sandals and not put on two tunics. And he said to them, “Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you depart from there. And if any place will not receive you and they will not listen to you, when you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them.” So they went out and proclaimed that people should repent. And they cast out many demons and anointed with oil many who were sick and healed them. (Mark 6:1-13 ESV)
Did you hear what they said to Jesus? Really who do they think they are saying that he does not have the authority and that he is just a carpenter? But didn’t the disciples do the same thing few chapters back? In chapter 4 the disciples were not sure who he was after he calmed the storm after sleeping on the back off the boat. But the people think they know who Jesus is and call him on it. They limit him and how often does that happen to us? How many times has someone told you that you can’t do something so you just give up and don’t try? I remember when I was learning to play bass and a friend who had been playing for several years told me I would not be able to play a song I was trying to learn because it was too hard. I took it as a challenge and learned the song. But sometimes we jus give up. And we do that in life and in ministry.
Jesus calls us and sends us. The disciples in the above text are un named because in Mark we are the disciples. Mark says this is the story of Jesus from the time he was here until now. You are called and sent by Jesus just as you are. Do not listen to anyone tell you you can’t serve God because Jesus has called and equipped you to go and help all come to repentance, and live in the love that we all have been given.
Do not let anyone tell you you are just a anything. That you are not able to do ministry because of who you are, because God uses al kinds of people. Take a look at the song As Is by Peder Eide. He talks about the people God uses and how each of us is called as is. God loves you as is, and gives you the tools to do the ministry he needs you to do. So go and spread his love because has chosen you as is!
Here are the words to As Is:
Moses was a stutterer
David was a murderer
Jeremiah suicidal
Naked in the street
Paul, he had a problem
The specifics left unsaid
Timothy had stomach aches
And Lazarus was dead
Samson was a long-haired
Arrogant womanizer
Rahab was scarlet corded
Lady of the street
John the Baptist eatin’
Bugs and honey on his bread
Gideon a scaredy cat
And Lazarus was dead
As is
As is
He chooses us as His
As His
As His
Infuses us as is
With never ending
Love transcending
All our weakness
No excuses
He uses us as is
Noah was a drunk man
Abraham an old man
Jacob was a liar man
Leah second best
Jonah should have followed God
But ran away instead
Martha was a worrywart
And Lazarus was dead
aSacredRebel 