The Dust Testifies!
Scripture reading for November 5: Mark 6:7-12 “And He called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over unclean spirits. He charged them to take nothing for their journey except a staff–no bread, not 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.”
Jesus called disciples and equipped them for ministry. Ministry included casting out demons and healing the sick as well as preaching the Good News of the King and His eternal kingdom. In this account, they were to go with minimal provisions trusting God by faith that He would provide the needed food, clothing, and shelter and provisions to meet their needs. As God cares for the birds, so much more does He care for His sent-out messengers! And it was recorded that as they went and proclaimed that people should repent, many received them. They cast out many demons and used anointing oil and prayer for those who were sick and afflicted. God worked with them and healed and delivered.
But Jesus also gave them another instruction. If in any place people refused to listen and would not receive them, their faith response was to shake off the dust from their feet and clothes. Jesus stated that the dust would be a testimony that He had sent these disciples with a message of healing and mercy that had been refused. The apostle Paul stated the same message to the Corinthians. “For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life.” (2 Corinthians 2:15-16)
Prayer: Father God, thank You for sending me out with Your authority and anointing to proclaim repentance and faith. Help me to recognize that the response of those that hear is not my responsibility. You use both acceptance and rejection to bring justice to those You want saved. Amen.
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