Scripture7He called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. 8He ordered them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts; 9but to wear sandals and not to put on two tunics. 12So they went out and proclaimed that all should repent. 13They cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them. (Mark 6:7-9 & 12-13)ReflectionJesus sends out the disciples, giving them authority to do things. But he sends them off empty-handed! “Take nothing for the journey.”! Now that seems pretty counter-cultural! By today’s standards Jesus’ instruction appears cavalier at best, and down-right reckless at worst! Why did Jesus say this?!We need to combine Jesus’ teaching and some words from the Apostle Paul (2 Corinthians, Chp 12) where he says, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness. I am content with weaknesses….; for whenever I am weak, then I am strong.”When we feel strong in our own abilities; when we feel strong in our own resources: then we are tempted to do God’s work on our own…without needing to involve God! That leads to failure.When we are weak; when we allow God to fill us with His power (his Holy Spirit), then we are stronger than we could ever be on our own! Revd David
Scripture‘Again he entered the synagogue, and a man was there who had a withered hand. They watched him to see whether he would cure him on the sabbath, so that they might accuse him. And he said to the man who had the withered hand, ‘Come forward.’ Then he said to them, ‘Is it lawful to do good or to do harm on the sabbath, to save life or to kill?’ But they were silent. He looked around at them with anger; he was grieved at their hardness of heart and said to the man, ‘Stretch out your hand.’ He stretched it out, and his hand was restored.’ Mark 3:1-5Reflection Like the people watching Jesus, we are often hamstrung by our own rules. We have accepted a set of standards for behaviour which we do not seem able to break out of, even when it would be the kinder, more humane thing to do. We judge the other, and the situation, without stepping back and seeing the bigger picture. ‘He’ is dirty, ‘she’ hasn’t got very good parenting skills, ‘they’ are spending their money unwisely. And so they don’t deserve our compassion, our help or even our attention. We can safely ignore them. But that is not the Jesus Way. He sees the person behind the rule, beyond the prejudice. He sees the real need and brings real healing at the right time. He even sees and loves us, willing us to do better, to be the kinder, bigger people we were created to be. Lord, soften our hearts and open our eyes to see as you do! Revd Ylva
