Moving Towards Jesus before Being Sent Out

Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. He appointed twelve that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach and to have authority to drive out demons. - Mark 3:13-15

This week we’re talking about being sent out by Jesus to care for those on the margins. It’s real work, and there’s real sacrifice involved. But let’s remember the movement in this passage.

First: Jesus leads the way. He’s always going first. Up the mountain. To the people. Facing the demons. Challenging the powers that be. He’s always there before us.

Second: before Jesus ever sends us out ‘he appointed them that they might be with him’ (Mark 3:14). Being with Jesus takes precedence over being sent out by Jesus. If we lose that connection, we are lost indeed.

Third: being sent out is just part of the package. It’s really, really hard to be a Christian and not serve the world. You could say that it’s not even possible.

Fourth: there’s authority in us. Kind of a weird thought, but according to Jesus, he’s given us authority to face what is evil in this world and to push it back by our words and our actions.

Which of these four movements do you need to hear most today? Talk with Jesus about that.