And He summoned the twelve and began to send them out in pairs, and gave then authority over the unclean spirits; and He instructed them that they should take nothing for their journey, except a mere staff – no bread, no bag, no money in their belt. Mark 6:7-8
By God’s authority, Moses’ staff turned the water of the Nile River into blood (Ex. 20). Moses is famous for performing many signs and wonders with the staff in his hand. Yet, God is the One who performed the miracles; the staff was a symbol of God’s authority. The staff symbolizing God’s authority was fresh in my mind as I was reading in Mark. That is why I noticed that Jesus told His disciples to take nothing for their journey except a mere staff.
I pay close attention to Jesus’ instruction to His disciples because I am His disciple. Whatever Jesus said or did is for my learning also. Jesus had called His disciples so that He sent them out. Jesus has called me and you in order to send us out too. Jesus gave His disciples authority over unclean spirits; just like He has given authority to us (Mark 16:17). Jesus instructed His disciples to take nothing but a staff, symbolizing His authority. Jesus instructs you and me to do the same, take nothing but His authority. When we have Jesus’ authority, we have all authority (Matt. 28:18). There is no need for anything else.
The disciples modeled their ministry on Jesus’ ministry. Jesus proclaimed the Kingdom of God and then demonstrated it by healing the sick, raising the dead and casting out demons. His disciples did the same; they preached that men should repent (turn to the Kingdom of God); they cast out demons; and they anointed the sick with oil (see Mark 6:12-13).
That is our model for ministry too. Take nothing but the authority of Jesus in our hand. Proclaim the gospel of the Kingdom. Cast out demons and heal the sick.
Finally, I noticed that after the disciples had reported to Him all that they had done, He invited them to come away with Him. They went away in a boat to a secluded place to rest a while (Mark 6:31-32). Isn’t that beautiful!? After ministering, Jesus invites us to come away with Him for a while and rest. That sounds so refreshing! That is what I want to do.