You Are the Equipment

Scripture: Job 21; Mark 5-6

Mark 6:7-9
Jesus 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:

 “Don’t think you need a lot of extra equipment for this. You are the equipment. No special appeals for funds. Keep it simple.

Observations: The Church has often been guilty of “poor-mouthing” itself. Phrases like “We don’t have the money for that,” or “Our building is too small,” or “We don’t have enough people,” have been holding some of us back for years.

Jesus didn’t send his disciples out with massive expense accounts or teams of evangelism experts. He told them to trust in their training and to be the Gospel message to the people they met.

Application: I need to model and encourage the behavior of the Disciples by being the equipment. And I have to expect the disciples around me to do the same, because Jesus empowers us.

Prayer: I arise today
Through God’s strength to pilot me:
God’s might to uphold me,
God’s wisdom to guide me,
God’s eye to look before me,
God’s ear to hear me,
God’s word to speak for me,
God’s hand to guard me,
God’s way to lie before me,
God’s shield to protect me,
God’s host to save me
From snares of devils,
From temptations of vices,
From everyone who shall wish me ill,
Afar and anear,
Alone and in multitude. Amen.

[from The Prayer of St. Patrick’s Breastplate]