Mark 6:6b-13 (NRSV)
Read Mark 6:6b-13 on biblegateway.com
Verse 6And he was amazed at their unbelief.
Then he went about among the villages teaching. Verse 7He called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. Verse 8He ordered them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts; Verse 9but to wear sandals and not to put on two tunics. Verse 10He said to them, "Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave the place. Verse 11If any place will not welcome you and they refuse to hear you, as you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them." Verse 12So they went out and proclaimed that all should repent. Verse 13They cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.
Devotion
When Jesus sent out his disciples, he ordered them to take nothing except the tunics they were wearing. Wherever they were, they were to depend on others to care for them. Jesus was training the disciples to trust God to care for them.
This reminds me of a pastor and his wife who served a congregation in Iowa during the Depression. A missionary and his wife were coming to the congregation and would be with them for dinner. All they had was flour and some milk. The grocery store wouldn't extend them any more credit. So they had pancakes for dinner. I was humbled by their faith when I heard their story. Even when being treated in this way, they remained faithful servants of the word of God. What an inspiration!
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help us to be faithful to the mission you give to your whole church. Help us to trust you to care for us in the way so many have trusted you in past times of hardship. Amen.