Mark 6:7-13

Emptying and Empowering

Devotional 29 of 50 · Mark chapter 6

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After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. Suddenly there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, rolled away the stone, and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards trembled in fear of him and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; He has risen, just as He said! Come, see the place where He lay. Then go quickly and tell His disciples, ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see Him.’ See, I have told

Mark 6:7-13 · BSB

⁷Then Jesus called the Twelve to Him and began to send them out two by two, giving them authority over unclean spirits. ⁸He instructed them to take nothing but a staff for the journey—no bread, no bag, no money in their belts— ⁹and to wear sandals, but not a second tunic. ¹⁰And He told them, “When you enter a house, stay there until you leave that area. ¹¹If anyone will not welcome you or listen to you, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that place, as a testimony against them.” ¹²So they set out and preached that the people should repent. ¹³They also drove out many demons and healed many of the sick, anointing them with oil.

Jesus

Jesus not only holds authority over unclean spirits, but He gives this authority to those who follow Him. If He is able to give away this authority, it is ultimately His. He is not borrowing this power, but Jesus holds such power over darkness that He is able to extend it to His followers.

His Desires

Jesus desires that His healing power flow through His disciples. He empowers and emboldens His disciples to do the work He was doing. Jesus does not seek to reserve miracles just for Himself, but He longs for His followers to share in His power and His work.

In addition to His authority, He gives instructions. Some in the mission field today follow these words with great success, looking for a house to stay in. They also let the community meet their needs for food and shelter. This text makes it clear: Jesus calls us to humble ourselves and rely solely on His power and authority.

He also instructs us to go with someone else. Maybe this is connected to the confirmation of a testimony by two witnesses, but it is also very wise (Deut. 17:6). It also shows Jesus' heart for community. Jesus does not raise up lone wolves; He came to work through a people. He has saved a group of people—His church.

We also see the disciples preaching repentance alongside casting out demons and healing the sick. This reveals that Jesus simply wants people to turn away from sin and turn toward eternal life in Him—He desires salvation from the punishment of sin.

Follow Through

Share the message of repentance.
Pray for the sick and demon-possessed.
Depend on Jesus to supply and meet your needs.

Testimonies

This is where people will share how they actually obeyed this passage — and read what happened to everyone else who obeyed the same words.

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Devotional 29 of 50

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Comments

Coming soon. This is where readers will share how they obeyed this passage.