The Officer’s Blog
This month Major Kathy Woodhouse shares some thoughts on Mark 6 : 1 – 13
Major Kathy
Introduction
Have you seen the film Chicken Little? If you have, you might remember the scene where, against all the odds, the little chicken wins the baseball game for his local team. Everyone thought that Chicken Little was a loser. His helmet was too big for him, he couldn’t hold the bat properly and he didn’t even know which way to run when he did hit the ball! What a surprise when he became the town’s hero, by winning the game for the Acorns! Who would have thought it!
Does that scenario ring any bells with you? Does the task seem too great, do you lack the right equipment? Are you convinced of your own lack of ability?
Go with God
God had shown himself to the world through Jesus. People had seen him, heard him, touched him. But what was to happen next? What would happen when Jesus was no longer around, physically?
God had a plan, a plan that includes you and me. It began with Jesus sending out his disciples, as recorded in the scripture reference above. And that is exactly how it has continued, right up to the present day. Jesus sends out his disciples, so that the world can hear, and believe the good news. So that everyone can have the opportunity to know God for themselves.
But sometimes we feel weak, timid even. Sometimes we feel that someone else could do it better, sometimes we even have the feeling that it couldn’t possibly mean us. And sometimes, if we’re truthful, we just keep our heads down and hope we won’t be noticed.
It isn’t easy to be a disciple. Some of the requirements are tough, sometimes the people we go to don’t want to hear. Often there’s an element of persecution and personal difficulty involved. Jesus sent the twelve (ie ALL of them) with explicit instructions on what to do and how to do it. He gave those first disciples spiritual authority, so that they did not go in their own strength, but his. They were Christ’s ambassadors, they represented him.
In order for his work to be done in these days, God needs his disciples to be obedient, and to follow the example of the twelve, to ensure that the gospel is heard in as many places and situations as possible.
Go for God
The disciples were sent in pairs to establish their credibility with those who knew the Law of Moses. Deut 19 : 15 talks about the need for more than one witness, and says that a ‘matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses’. Not that two was a ‘magic’ number, but that the people who heard the gospel would be more likely to pay attention if they heard it from more than one person.
There must be consistency in the way the message is portrayed. Each witness must corroborate what the other has said. So, no adding to the story, and no subtraction either. No placing of emphasis because of personal preference. If we are disciples, we are in this together, the message we give must be clear and plain. It can stand alone, and doesn’t need our embellishments.
‘Walk the talk’ – is a phrase that has entered our vocabulary in recent years. It can seem like a cliché, but it’s true. It’s not enough to talk about Jesus, we have to act out, live out what we believe.
‘What would Jesus do?’ is a question that we have been encouraged to ask ourselves, and you may have even worn a wristband with the letters WWJD on as a reminder. How would we need to change our behaviour to really do as Jesus would? To consider the people we meet in the way that he would, with compassion and acceptance?
An appropriate lifestyle is imperative. Jesus instructed the disciples to place their trust in him, and not to concern themselves with trivial matters – such as food and money!
Our deeds must ever match our creed (SA Song Book 760 v.4)
Another song says –
O that my life may tell for thee! (SA Song Book 488 v.1)
This is another line that reminds us that serving God is not only about what we say, but what we do.
Conclusion
We are his disciples and, as such, we are charged to ‘Go and make disciples of all nations…..…’ No exceptions, God needs us, and will work through us to bring about his kingdom. If we fail to accept his commission, for whatever reason, we fail those who have not had the opportunity to know the love of God for themselves. Excuses are just that, for God equips those whom he calls – if we trust him to keep his word.
There is a world out there that needs to know and experience the love of God – how will they ever hear if we do not carry on the work that Christ began, and tell them. There is an enormous work to do, and God needs each one of us to participate. No exceptions. No one is too young, too inexperienced – God goes with us, and before us.
A children’s song from a few years ago says,
God’s people aren’t super-brave super-heroes,
They don’t have muscles from their heads to their toes,
They’re not gladiators that easy to see
In fact its amazing
They are just like you and me!
The final line says that they are ‘sometimes scared…..’ but adds, ‘……let’s realise we’ve got God on our side, and he can do absolutely anything!’