Mark 6. As we continue our journey through Mark, we continue to ask the question, “How does Jesus interact with people?” Today our focus is on Jesus’ interaction with his disciples.

And he called the twelve and began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over the unclean spirits (6:7). Remember in Mark 3 when Jesus called the twelve to himself and appointed them to be with him and continue his ministry? Since that mountain top experience, they have been with him, watching him do ministry and learning from him. Now it is time for them to go out and give ministry a try. Jesus has called them, equipped and empowered them, and now he is challenging them to go do it. So, they went out and proclaimed that people should repent. And they cast out many demons and anointed many with oil who were sick and healed them (6:12-13).

This scenario reminds me of a social media video I saw yesterday. This mom has recently read the Anxious Generation book and was wanting to empower her children to be more independent. She was parked outside Chick Fil A, and she had sent her 8-year-old in to get his lunch – by himself, cash only, no phone, no adult assistance. He had to talk to the cashier, place his order, pay for it, wait for it to be ready, make sure it was right, and then carry it back to the car by himself. And he did it! She was so proud of him, and he was even prouder of himself!!

Jesus has equipped his disciples and is now challenging them to go out and try ministry. I am sure this was scary for them – none of us get everything correct all the time, and there is no way to predict all the things that might happen. Yet our real growth comes from discovering what we are capable of, and how we can handle new challenges and figure it out.

As his disciples do ministry, Jesus had two more important interactions with them.

Jesus reminded them to focus on the mission; and to not be distracted by naysayers and people creating drama. 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 (6:11). People don’t like you or want to listen to you, that’s fine. Just carry on and ignore them. Jesus had just demonstrated how to do this a few verses earlier when he had trouble in his hometown, they took offense at him, but he just shook his head and moved on to a more productive environment (6:3-6).

Jesus reminded the disciples to rest. No one was infinite energy; even Jesus needed rest. As the saying goes, even Jesus took naps. He was concerned about his disciples – the crowds were hard to manage, it was difficult to say no to people, it was hard to prioritize rest over activities, and they were out there doing spiritual battle. Jesus said, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest for a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat (6:31).

What an encouraging set of interactions between the disciples and Jesus! What stands out to you? Do you feel Jesus pushing you out to go and try something new? Has he equipped you and now you just need to be brave and go give it a whirl? Do you need the reminder to stay focused and ignore people who are giving negative chatter in the background? Do you need to rest?

Jesus empowers those whom he calls. Talk with him and lean into what he is calling you to do!