Stop Beating That Donkey…

SCRIPTURE:  Num. 21-23; Mark 6-7

Numbers 21:4-7
^4-5 They set out from Mount Hor along the Red Sea Road, a detour around the land of Edom. The people became irritable and cross as they traveled. They spoke out against God and Moses: “Why did you drag us out of Egypt to die in this godforsaken country? No decent food; no water—we can’t stomach this stuff any longer.”

^6-7 So God sent poisonous snakes among the people; they bit them and many in Israel died. The people came to Moses and said, “We sinned when we spoke out against God and you. Pray to God; ask him to take these snakes from us.”

Moses prayed for the people.

Numbers 22:31
³¹ Then God helped Balaam see what was going on: He saw God‘s angel blocking the way, brandishing a sword. Balaam fell to the ground, his face in the dirt.

Mark 6:7-13 “The Twelve”

^7-8Jesus called the Twelve to him, and sent them out in pairs. He gave them authority and power to deal with the evil opposition. He sent them off with these instructions: ^8-9“Don’t think you need a lot of extra equipment for this. You are the equipment. No special appeals for funds. Keep it simple.

¹⁰“And no luxury inns. Get a modest place and be content there until you leave.

¹¹“If you’re not welcomed, not listened to, quietly withdraw. Don’t make a scene. Shrug your shoulders and be on your way.”

^12-13Then they were on the road. They preached with joyful urgency that life can be radically different; right and left they sent the demons packing; they brought wellness to the sick, anointing their bodies, healing their spirits.

OBSERVATION: These three passages were strong in my reading today. I think its because there is much complaining in my heart about relinquishing the central role. My complaint bring the serpent. The Angel blocks the false prophet’s way. And then Jesus decentralized everything by sending the disciples out in pairs. When this passage has come up before, it was in reference to the people: I identified with Moses. Today, I see that I have become irritable and cross in my journey–not angry and mean to those around me, but somewhat reluctant to go forward.

APPLICATION: Jesus again shows the way. Disperse the people to ministry. Send them out for tasks of God’s own devising — but their own discovery. Share the authority. Share the authorization.

PRAYER: Give me the strength to lead, the heart to trust, and the willingness to turn the ministry over to the people to whom I’ve been called to give it–by leading. After Christ’s example, and ever for His sake, Amen.