Calling the Twelve to Himself-Mark 6:4-12

Jesus calling the twelve to Him, He sought them out which was not customary at that time*. His primary purpose in calling them was to send them out. When God calls us, it is not for us to keep His message to ourselves. Many who have been called act as Jonah did (Jonah 1 & 2), they run from the calling. And in running, they live a stressful life, always wondering why. When Jonah could not run anymore he had to finally accept his call, what is God calling you to?

In this portion of scripture (verse 4-11) Jesus has just been rejected by his own people yet continued to do the work of His father despite the rejection. He also recognized the need to have others, ordinary people, work with Him, you can't do it alone. So He called them, gave them instructions then sent them out in pairs, again not alone. So what am I saying? I am suggesting that the Lord did not intend for those He called to work alone. He Himself knew rejection but He also knew commitment. As He did with Jonah and the twelve, so He will do for us. He has equipped us with the Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth so that we may fulfill that which He has called us to.

The twelve followed the instructions given to them and were powerful in their calling. His instructions also tell the twelve how to handle rejection and they utilized these instructions and were able to heal the sick and drive out demons. Our calling is to reach the unreachable and share what was given to us, salvation. The only thing keeping us from doing this is us. It is important that we have no hidden agenda when sharing the Good news. God's instruction to the twelve was to take nothing with them. That means no preconceived notions, no impure motives, and no hidden agendas. If you are not accepted, Jesus does not say, carry a grudge, He simple says leave. Remember that it is not our responsibility what people do with what we share with them, it is our responsibility only to share it. God is calling us to now do as He instructed us to do. He has given us all we need to fulfill the calling. There is no time like the present (which is a gift from Him).

*During the time of Jesus it was not customary for the Rabbi to seek out his followers but instead those who wanted to follow the Rabbi sought them (the Rabbi) out. This scripture in Mark and throughout the Gospels Jesus (who has been called Rabbi) seeks out His followers. God can not be put in an ordinary box cause He is not an ordinary God.