Wednesday, October 19

Be with—Be sent

Scripture: Ezekiel 31-32, Proverbs 24, Mark 3

Mark 3:13–15 Jesus went up the mountain and summoned those he wanted, and they came to him. 14 He appointed twelve, whom he also named apostles, to be with him, to send them out to preach, 15 and to have authority to drive out demons.

Observation

Jesus selected 12 of His followers to be His apostles—12 to match the 12 tribes of Israel and imply that Jesus and His followers are the new Israel of God. Mark gives us Jesus’ purpose in choosing the 12: “to be with Him, to send them out to preach and to have authority to drive out demons.” Literally in the Greek, “to be with Him and to be sent.” 

“To be with Him.” Discipleship is first a relationship. We live with Jesus; we follow Him; we spend time with Him. Our first calling is to be with Him. And when we do that, others will notice; it will be obvious we’ve been with Jesus.

Acts 4:13  When they observed the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed and recognized that they had been with Jesus.

“To be sent.” Discipleship is also a mission. “Freely you have received; freely give.” Matthew 10:8. We are sent to proclaim the good news and bring freedom to the captives.

Dr. Jim Edwards writes, “Discipleship is a matter of being with Jesus, of speaking his message, and of acting in his name by casting out demons and opposing evil.”

We have also referenced this passage in our leadership development process which we call ROT: Relationship, Opportunity, Training. Jesus developed leaders by calling them into relationship, sending them on opportunities to serve, and training them. 

Application

It is equally important for me to spend time being with Jesus and then live on mission. Be with Him and be sent. My day as a disciple starts with this time in the word and prayer—being with Jesus, listening, learning, being formed. But it doesn’t end there. That prepares me to live a sent life—being sent. 

Today, I want to do both. 

Prayer: Lord, help me all day long be with You—and all day long be sent by You.