Mark 6:10-11 (Jesus instructed) “Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you leave that town. 11 “And if any place will not welcome you or listen to you, shake the dust off your feet when you leave, as a testimony against them.”
 
EVANGELISM is telling the gospel to people who have not yet confessed Jesus as Lord and Savior of their lives. Evangelism is necessary to grow God’s kingdom. “Evangel” means gospel. Evangelism is “gospelism” – it is the Spirit-powered task to teach people the way of salvation for their souls. Evangelism is the most important thing we do. Some evangelism methods include gospel preaching in churches, gospel telling in private conversations, gospel living, and gospel mission trips to local and faraway neighbors. And the Spirit has unveiled many more methods since Jesus’ commanded, “Go and make disciples of the nations.” (Matthew 28:19a) If you’re a Christian, you can daily thank God someone has brought the evangel to you.
   In Mark 6:8-11 Jesus commands the first evangelism effort for his first disciples. His instructions teach us four basic evangelism principles.
   The first is this: Do not correlate the gospel with material wealth. As we read in Mark 6:8-9, Jesus sent the 12 with only a staff. The Savior did not come to offer material wealth. Too often it seems the message to unbelievers is a false promise that all their problems, including poverty, will disappear when they confess Jesus. Jesus is the most precious gift. This is illustrated in Peter’s and John’s early ministry. As they approached the crippled beggar in the temple, Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” (Acts 3:6) The man walked away with the riches of God’s salvation for eternal life.
   The second principle ties to the first. Wherever we go we rely only on the Spirit’s power. The disciples went only with a staff. So did Moses and Aaron. God wants all to know he is the power and the glory to free us from our sins.
   Evangelism’s third principle is to develop relationships with those to whom you evangelize. When people welcomed the disciples into their homes, they would become more personally engaged in the disciples’ lives. The gospel is easier to tell to a friend than one who opposes you. Jesus accomplished much in people’s homes.
   A fourth principle is to leave behind the unbeliever. Jesus instructed the disciples, “Shake the dust off your feet when you leave, as a testimony against them.” Jesus did this figuratively when he moved away from those who continually argued with him. The “shaking dust” illustration refers to some Jews’ practice to clean their sandals when they returned from a Gentile nation. They were symbolically removing any spiritual impurities from their minds. We must strive for Christ. But too much time farming unfertile ground will starve you.
   Evangelism is being God’s partner to build his church. Look at it as a wondrous adventure that grows your love for God. Faithfully doing God’s will allows us to experience God personally working in you. Speaking of Jesus is good for others, and it’s good for you.
   
“Anything of spiritual significance that happens in your life will be a result of God's activity in you. He is infinitely more concerned with your life and your relationship with Him than you or I could possibly be.” ― Henry T. Blackaby Experiencing God

Mark 6:8-9 These were his instructions: “Take nothing for the journey except a staff – no bread, no bag, no money in your belts. 9 Wear sandals but not an extra tunic.
 
IF you ask, “How do I know God’s will for my life?” the Spirit is stirring your heart. In your mind’s eye you sees Jesus beckoning, “Come, follow me.” Perhaps you know what Jesus wants you to do. Is your real question, “How can I possibly follow Jesus into God’s will for my life? Am I ready? Am I qualified?”
    When God calls you into the unknown, there’s often a distracting voice in your natural mind that wants to stop you. “Be sure you have all you need before you go. Build your faith. Be sure your friends and church are behind you. Know what you will do if things don’t “work out” as planned. Be comfortable with going! Carefully review all the possibilities. You don’t want surprises.”
   Do you think the apostles had those thoughts when Jesus gave them no bread, no bag, no money in your belts? Was one walking stick enough? Their life support for food, water and shelter was faith that it would come from people they would meet along the way. They had absolutely no assurance that things would “work out” beyond the Savior’s commands.
   And that’s the thing, isn’t it? Do you need anything beyond God’s Word? The apostle Paul wrote an impassioned letter to the Corinth church, exhorting them to more faithfully follow Jessus. He instructed them on ways to correct their errors. And then he comes to the only way the church will become Jesus’ true disciples. 1 Corinthians 13:13-14a And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts.
   God loves you. He has gifted you to know him as your Savior. He has told you what he wants you to do. Do you have faith, hope and love to do his will?
   Why did Jesus send his disciples to preach the gospel and defeat Satan with only a walking stick? He wanted them to know it was their faith, hope and love in their fundamental relationship with him that would give them success. When the 12 delivered the message, they began to know what God-centered faith, hope and love will do.      

Mark 6:7 Calling the Twelve to him, he sent them out two by two and gave them authority over evil spirits.
 
HERE’S the first time Jesus anointed his disciples with his power. Jesus can keep doing his saving work among his people, and much more will be done when he empowers his disciples to go and do what he does. A key word here is sent. It means “to send someone with a special commission to represent another and to accomplish his work.” Out of this meaning comes the word apostle. When Jesus says, “Go.” you can be certain he is sending you to stand before the world to represent him.
   Jesus also gave them specific directives to complete their work. Too often we see Jesus’ teachings as suggestions or ideas for good living. But we must understand Jesus is the Commander of the LORD’s army. That means his words are your commands.
   Think of this. We may often speak of the Ten Commandments as definitive law to obey. They are not optional if we want live right with God and all people. The same is true of Jesus’ words. He is the Word of God. He instructs you to a holy life, so you will become more as God.
   Your purpose then is to inform the world God has saved you and has sent you. You can only accomplish that when we understand his words command you to action. To put your hesitations and disobedience above Jesus’ commands diverts your mission to represent Jesus to the world.
    Remember, as Jesus’ disciple you are engaged in a war. Wars require skirmishes and battles. Commander Jesus trained and equipped his disciples with the Spirit’s power and directed them to the battleground. He gave them the right strategies to win the war. This would be their lifelong mission.
   That must be our response to our Lord. Disciples “go out” and battle for the human soul. We do this through preaching, correcting, helping, teaching, giving, forgiving, serving, loving, praying and healing – and even commanding the demons to be gone. Is that something you and your church are doing? Are you a Christian soldier on active duty for your Commander?
   A disciple lives in Jesus’ discipline. Be willing to go where he commands you to go. Understand what he wants you to do and know how to do what he says. Trust his authority on your life to do so.  
   Do you feel unqualified? Jesus commanded 12 “newcomers” to take his authority into Judea to teach and heal. He required no prior experience, only love for the Lord and others.  
 

Mark 6:4-6 Jesus said to them, “Only in his hometown, among his relatives and in his own house is a prophet without honor.” 5 He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. 6 And he was amazed at their lack of faith. Then Jesus went around teaching from village to village. 
 
ARE you looking for God to do a power move in your life? Do you want him to change something about you, your family, your community or your church? What do you need to “do” to make that happen? Is the answer, “Have faith. Just believe.”
   That’s Jesus’ message. He had spent time in Capernaum and around the Sea of Galilee preaching and healing. Great crowds came to him in anticipation of his power. But returning to his hometown, Jesus found the crowds had come to minimize and criticize him. Instead of proclaiming, “He is the Son of God.” They could only say, “He’s Mary’s son.” (verse 3). A man was always identified as his father’s son. Perhaps these doubters considered Jesus was Mary’s illegitimate son and deserved no recognition as a man, much less as the Messiah. They rejected Jesus because they rejected God’s prophetic word regarding his Savior. Their restrained view of Jesus limited Jesus’ work. He could heal very few people in Nazareth. Is God’s power limited by our opinion of him?
   Yet, history reveals God has done mighty works when Israel had little or no knowledge of him. In fact, one of the reasons for the Exodus miracles was to reveal his power to his people. They needed to know the God who had formed them is the God of the heavens and earth.
   Jesus also did mighty works when none expected him to do so. For example, he calmed the storms, he raised the dead, he fed thousands with a few loaves and some fish. What blocked his healing power in Nazareth, his hometown?
   It is the people’s continuing doubt. Remember, ideas have consequences. And their idea is that Jesus, the local carpenter, is not worthy of their faith. Even though Jesus has told them who he is. He has gone to other towns and villages to show his people. And he returned with the power stories preceding him. Still, the hometown crowd denied Jesus’ authority as the Christ. His response is to deny them his redeeming power.
   How has Jesus presented himself to you? Have you heard his truth, yet questioned, even rejected the truth? Do you doubt Jesus is alive for you right now? Do you doubt his forgiveness and think, perhaps, you’re not worthy of his restorative work in your life? The Bible is one resource to know God’s gracious work. There are also countless testimonies found in many resources to tell of God’s power affecting people’s lives for their good and his glory.
   What’s your response to the evidence of Jesus’ authority to heal, to transform and to give life? Have faith to believe his will is for your good.

Mark 6:1-3 Jesus left there and went to his hometown, accompanied by his disciples. 2 When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed. “Where did this man get these things?” they asked. “What’s this wisdom that has been given him that he even does miracles! 3 Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him.
 
OF all the centuries the world has existed, it has only been the last 650 years mankind has known the earth is round. When scientists before that said the earth was flat, it was not a lie. It was the truth of the age based on limited knowledge. When sea voyagers and others began to learn the truth, did they keep the fact to themselves? Of course not. They told the truth. But the educated community’s first reaction was an aggressive attempt to silence them. How dare they confront the common understanding? Even when the evidence is plainly visible, we often find it extremely difficult to admit what we know is not correct. The “flat earth” theory has greatly limited exploration and development for most of human history.
   Whether true or false, ideas and perceptions have consequences. We must be passionate about the truth. Only the truth leads to true achievement.
   With their false ideas in mind, the ruling Jews in Nazareth, Jesus’ hometown, didn’t accept this wisdom that has been given him. Luke 4 records his first preaching in Nazareth. Jesus had announced his ministry and proclaimed he fulfilled  the prophets’ promises to bring God’s favor to his people. But they rejected him, even tried to kill him. And now once more, they rejected the he even does miracles when the visible evidence was plain.  What was set so firmly in their minds caused them to reject the Son of God ministering his mercy to them.
   They couldn’t get past what they knew of him. He’s a carpenter. Carpenters build houses. They do not preach, teach and heal. He’s one of us, “Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon.” And, “Aren’t his sisters here with us?” Their idea of the Messiah was certainly different than Jesus. The consequence of their ideas blinded them to the Lord’s glory in their synagogue. Jesus spoke into the misinformation, but they said, “You are not qualified.” They dismissed the Way to Life. Consequently, they missed Jesus’ salvation.
   As you know, the world is full of ideas. We must be very careful to examine what we hear and learn. God has given us his Word to be our safeguard against false ideas with consequences that distort his church, confuse our minds and isolate our souls. Listen to the Bible. Meet with others to learn together. Know God’s truth, so you can know the consequences of his profound love for you.  

Mark 5:37-43 Jesus did not let anyone follow him except Peter, James and John the brother of James. 38 When they came to the home of the synagogue ruler, Jesus saw a commotion, with people crying and wailing loudly. 39 Jesus went in and said to them, “Why all this commotion and wailing? The child is not dead but asleep.” 40 But they laughed at him. After he put them all out, he took the child’s father and mother and the disciples who were with him, and went in where the child was. 41 He took her by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum!” (which means, “Little girl, I say to you, get up!”). 42 Immediately the girl stood up and walked around (she was twelve years old). At this they were completely astonished. 43 He gave strict orders not to let anyone know about this, and told them to give her something to eat.
 
RESURRECTION is Jesus’ message to the world. The little girl is the first of three people the gospels record Jesus raised to life before his own resurrection. If this is Jesus’ purpose, why, then, did only Peter, James and John go with him? And why did Jesus put them all out of the house?
   We can accept Jesus’ methods when we remember the Bible teaches us God works in his time. For the gospel’s purpose, Peter, James and John became Jesus’ inner circle. From John 1 and Mark 1, we learn they were among the first disciples Jesus’ called. As Jesus does for all of us, he had a special purpose for their work.
   And there are two possible reasons Jesus did not reveal his resurrection power to the crowd in Capernaum that day. First, Jesus’ teachings and healings were causing both great joy and great controversy throughout Israel. The pressing crowds were a threat to his physical safety. Hundreds of people wanted Jesus’ healing. In contrast, many of Jairus’ friends wanted to stop Jesus. Some ruling Jews claimed Jesus was of the devil. From very early in his ministry they were looking for a reason to kill him. A public resurrection could have stirred a riot in Capernaum. This would have given the Romans and the Jewish rulers reason to arrest Jesus before his time. We know later that the public resurrection of Lazarus (John 11) stirred the Pharisees toward their final plans to crucify Jesus.
   The second reason is unbelief. The people in the home mocked Jesus’ claim, “The child is not dead but asleep.”  He had left Nazareth, his hometown, because of their unbelief. (Luke 4:23-30 & Mark 6:1-6) There is no room for unbelief if you want the Lord to do his work.
   The three disciples, Jairus and his wife became the witnesses to tell this story at the appropriate time. Peter wrote in 1 Peter 5:1 To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ’s sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed.
   On that day Jesus revealed his glory in Capernaum. Jesus’ life and work is prophecy fulfilled. Isaiah 40:5 “And the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all mankind together will see it. For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.”
   Yes, on that day the Glory of the Lord came into a family home. He spoke to the mockers and said, “Be gone!” He spoke life, “Give her something to eat.” The Glory of the Lord had come. It’s time to know faith leads to life. 

Mark 5:33-36 Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and, trembling with fear, told him the whole truth. 34 He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.” 35 While Jesus was still speaking, some men came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue ruler. “Your daughter is dead,” they said. “Why bother the teacher further?” 36 Ignoring what they said, Jesus told the synagogue ruler, “Don't be afraid; just believe.”
 
JESUS’ healing work would be remarkable in any corner of the world. But this new revelation of God’s glory would have had special meaning in Israel. For 400 years God had been silent. There was no Word from the prophets. No life-changing, earth-moving miracles came from I AM (Exodus 3) as he had shown to their ancient ancestors. Then suddenly God’s Son began moving heaven’s power into his chosen people. Visible, dramatic manifestations of God’s glory changed lives. How would you respond if God stood ready to so powerfully touch you? What would you do if he healed you? Would you be afraid?
   Fear is the response of the woman he healed from 12 years of bleeding. She came and fell at his feet and, trembling with fear, told him the whole truth. Did she believe she was unqualified for such a miracle?
   Then God, who is love, called her, “Daughter.” and affirms, “your faith has healed you.”  She had faithfully pursued Jesus through a massive crowd. She knew she only needed to touch his cloak. She had faith to go and pursue healing. There is no reason to be afraid of God’s retribution when you faithfully seek a renewed life. Jesus stands ready to joyfully welcome you into a new life under his merciful care. “Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.” is God’s gracious command to his new-born child. His will is for her to faithfully enjoy the blessed life he has given to her. Jesus heals you into joy.
   Jesus also spoke to quiet Jairus’ fear in his most desperate situation. “Your daughter is dead,” they said. Then Jesus poured his love into Jairus as he had to the woman. “Don’t be afraid.” he urges the distraught father, “Just believe.”
   Believe. Go to the Savior for healing. Believe. Trust he wants you to go to him. Believe. Understand he is the Almighty God, who went to a cross to heal your soul. Believe. He will embrace you in even your deepest needs.
   Jesus tells you and shows you there is no room for the type of fear that makes you afraid of God and keeps you from his kingdom. Jesus has come to earth as God’s continuing revelation of his unsurpassable love. Jesus is Resurrection. He is Conqueror. God’s history tells us that nothing can stand against his authority. He calls you, “Daughter. Son.” In this holy relationship, be of faith. Know you can release your hold on the world’s limitations. Believe you can firmly and forever grasp his exaltation.   

Mark 5:30-32 At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched my clothes?” 31 “You see the people crowding against you,” his disciples answered, “and yet you can ask, ‘Who touched me?’” 32 But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it.
 
WHEN we read Genesis 3, we learn the fallen Adam and Eve hid from the LORD God among the trees of the garden. But the LORD God called out to them,  “Where are you?” (Genesis 3:8-9) The all-knowing LORD did not ask the question to find them. He wanted the couple to come out of their shameful hiding, so he could begin to restore them – and all mankind – into a new relationship with him. Have you ever had a child do something wrong and then hide from you? Was your first priority to find him, to tell him you still loved him? Connecting the wrong is more effective when it happens under a nurturing parent-child relationship.  
   In a similar way, the Son of God responded to the healed woman. When Jesus asked, “Who torched me?” he surely knew. But he wanted the woman to come out of her hiding. He wanted her to come out of the shame she had felt in her illness. Jesus wanted this daughter of his to enter into a personal relationship with him. Cleansing had ended the curse. All outward shame is gone. No one can call her “Unclean!” again. Physical salvation has come. Come out of hiding, so you can be with Jesus. How loved the woman felt as Jesus touched her, perhaps put his arms around her and assured her God loves her.
   You know Jesus’ healing power is real, don’t you. His power is his essence. He feels it flow out of him. The gospels record one miraculous, power-flowing scene after another. The events happen so quickly in Mark’s gospel, you can easily miss them. Demons go. The blind see. And the deaf hear. Jesus speaks life, and lives are changed forever.
   The wonder of Jesus’ power demonstration is that he didn’t stop – ever. His power is still going into the world right now. Thousands of people confess faith in him each day throughout the world. We hear testimonies of changed lives: A high school boy known for causing trouble has found a new purposeful life. A teen turned from her suicide desires. A family found comfort in their deep sorrow. A 4-year-old boy came to church and is excited for Jesus. A young boy has found peace from his worries. A mom has begun to see joy and hope in her life once again. A teen has been rescued from an abusive home.
   Jesus is right there in the crowd of hurt, hopelessness, pain, doubts, fears, disease and worry. Yes, Jesus walks right into these places. And when you touch him, his real, life-changing power flows from him. The Almighty One then comes to touch you, so you will know how precious you are to him.
   Do you want this in your life? Then go. And do more than touch him. Grab onto him. Hold onto him. Let his power flow to you. Receive his life-giving love.
 

Mark 5:25-29 And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. 26 She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse. 27 When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, 28 because she thought, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.” 29 Immediately her bleeding stopped, and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering.
 
SHE was freed from her suffering. This is a miracle of new creation. Her faithful confession, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.” is her submission to Jesus.
   She needed cleansing. She was suffering physically, and she was alone, suffering emotionally. God’s law said a woman of her condition was unclean. Anyone who touched her was required to go through a purification washing and a daylong separation from others. When the bleeding stopped, she was to wait seven days and go before the priest fo be declared clean. (Leviticus 15:25-30)   
   In truth, to be with others and to touch Jesus’ cloak, she broke the law of Moses. But remember, the law pointed to Jesus. The law revealed God’s benevolent care to heal his people from sin’s physical and emotional destruction. God had given Israel a view of his salvation work, promising he would provide for those who grieve in Zion – to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor. (Isaiah 61:3) God had displayed his splendor many times in many ways throughout Israel’s history. But his people seemed to barely notice. Jesus was giving Israel another view of God’s splendor.
   For years the woman suffered. Then Jesus went to Capernaum. The Spirit brought the suffering woman to the Savior, and once again he displayed his splendor in Israel.
   Suffering is a penetrating hurt in your mind that is present behind every thought and action. How do you respond to your own suffering or that of a loved one?  
   It’s easy for someone to counsel, “Be like the bleeding woman. She went to Jesus, and he healed her.” But what would have happened if he had not healed her? Would you know her? No. You only hear of the healed. What happens to the lame who remain crippled, the feverish who remain sick, the lepers who remained unclean or the blind eyes that remained closed? Where ‘was Jesus in their suffering? Where’s Jesus in your suffering?
   He’s right there. Do you see him? He’s at the whipping post, suffering for you the unbearable lashes. Do you see him? The Roman executors are driving spikes through his wrists and legs. Now they are lifting his suffering body onto the brutal cross. Why did he suffer? Of course, he suffered, so you may be an oak of righteousness displaying the splendor of his faithfulness to call you into his kingdom.
   Yes, Jesus heals some “now” in an immediate “Yes.” answers to prayers. Some he heals after twelve years. And in the fulfilment of his Word, he heals into eternal life all who are unclean in sin, separated from God, when they go to touch him in faith. Jesus knows your suffering. He knows your suffering will become your glory in eternal life. Revelation 7:16 Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat upon them, nor any scorching heat. 17 For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

Mark 5:21-24 When Jesus had again crossed over by boat to the other side of the lake, a large crowd gathered around him while he was by the lake. 22 Then one of the synagogue rulers, named Jairus, came there. Seeing Jesus, he fell at his feet 23 and pleaded earnestly with him, “My little daughter is dying. Please come and put your hands on her so that she will be healed and live.” 24 So Jesus went with him. A large crowd followed and pressed around him.
 
THE people of the Gerasenes didn’t want Jesus. The people of Capernaum did. At the beginning of his gospel, Mark told how people earnestly came to the Jordan to repent and be baptized. This was to prepare to see the Savior. And when the Savior came, the news spread. People are amazed to hear that the Teacher and the Healer is among them. They can touch the man whose words calmed the wind and the waves. Huge crowds earnestly seek him. God’s people are starving for the Bread of Life. They are parched for the Living Water. They are lost for lack of a Good Shepherd. In Jesus they see the One who can fill their spiritual hunger, ease their hopeless thirst and guide their lost lives.
   Then Jairus came with his desperate need. One of Capernaum’s highest officials pleads with Jesus. His daughter is dying. The synagogue ruler earnestly needs the one who can heal all diseases! This high-ranking man goes down on his knees. Jairus pleads for his daughter’s life, “Please come and put your hands on her so that she will be healed and live." He has no doubt Jesus will save his daughter. How different Jairus was from some synagogue rulers and Pharisees who went out and plotted how they might kill Jesus. (Matthew 12:14)
   How did Jairus gain the faith for such an earnest prayer? Surely, it was the Holy Spirit who moved Jairus to this faith. So let’s understand how the Spirit did so.
   In Mark 1-3, we read of Jesus being in the synagogue in Capernaum. He taught with authority: Mark 1:22 One time the people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law. Jesus then exorcised a demon. Mark 1:25 “Be quiet!” said Jesus sternly. “Come out of him!” Another Sabbath he healed a man with a shriveled hand. Mark 3:5 “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored.
   Jairus was the synagogue ruler. He witnessed. He learned. He believed. Now a great test came to his belief. His daughter needed him. Would he succumb to the unbelieving Pharisees’ pressure? Or would he submit to the Holy God? He knew what he had seen. His love for his daughter stirred him to trust the power of the Living God in the person of Jesus of Nazareth.
   How do you go to Jesus? Do you think, “I’ll pray once and wait to see if anything happens.” “If I have time, I’ll read some Bible today.” Is he your main thought or an afterthought?
   The evidence is clear. Listen to the Bible’s testimonies of his work. Hear from people he has healed. You need him, too, to fill you, quench your thirst and lead you to healing. He deserves your full attention.