In Mark 6 Jesus sends out the twelve. He sends them on a mission to share the good news, show compassion to people and to make disciples. At this point these men transition from addicts to dealers! They have been learning from the rabbi what it means to be a disciple and now they are sent to teach others to do the same. They begin to, "sell what they are smoking". We, who call ourselves disciples, are called to follow their example. It is significant that when Jesus sends out His disciples, they are told to bring only a staff. Jesus knew the heart of men, how easily distracted we can be and how heavy our cart can become. We are easily weighed down. He knew that when we get weighed down, the forward progress of the gospel is impeded. What is weighing you down? Is it your past, work, a strained relationship, keeping up with the Jones family, an idol (we do have idols in our culture, they just aren't carved out of wood and they don't sit on our mantles), an addiction? What layers do you need to shed? What healing do you need to seek? How do you need to refocus your mind, so that you, as a disciple, may be on the mission that Jesus has called you to? Just a staff, the gospel and compassion!
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