Equipped for Mission

Today’s Gospel Text:  And he called to him the twelve, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. 8 He charged them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts; 9 but to wear sandals and not put on two tunics. 10 And he said to them, "Where you enter a house, stay there until you leave the place. 11 And if any place will not receive you and they refuse to hear you, when you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet for a testimony against them." 12 So they went out and preached that men should repent. 13 And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many that were sick and healed them. Mark 6:7-13

Reflection: If someone sends you on a mission, then that person is not bothered with any ordinary trivial matters.  You will normally send people on a mission, with the key matter in question and with everything related to the mission.  So also you will equip a person delegated, according to your mission.

If in case you send a person to a famine ravaged place and your mission is to reach out to the famished people with food then you would equip the one sent, with food and water. If it is clothing and shelter, then you would equip them accordingly and if it is medical aid then you will help them carry the necessary emergency treatments. 

Likewise Jesus sends his disciples on an important mission and one of the key areas of dealings are the evil unclean spirits. 

For this very purpose Jesus came into the world and for this purpose he offered himself so that kingdom of Satan may be vanquished from our lives: “The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.”  1 John 3:8

The Christian world view clearly reveals to us that, apart from Christ, we are already in the kingdom of darkness, irrespective of our personal choice. (Col. 1:13; Eph. 5:8; 1 Pt. 2:9; 1Jn. 2:9; Rm. 13:2; 2Cor.4:6) If we do not make a choice for Jesus, then we continue to remain in darkness.  Therefore, he who does not believe is already condemned already.  (Jn. 3:18)

Every disciple of Christ cannot go on field with a mere knowledge of theology, degrees, certificates and sound character. They have to be equipped with the faculty to cast out the forces of darkness and to war against it. 

“For we are not contending against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”  Eph 6:12

Prayer:  Lord, equip me with the weapons of righteousness and grace, with authority and power so as to be your instrument against the forces of darkness.

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