TAIZÉ

Commented Bible Passages

 
These Bible meditations are meant as a way of seeking God in silence and prayer in the midst of our daily life. During the course of a day, take a moment to read the Bible passage with the short commentary and to reflect on the questions which follow. Afterwards, a small group of 3 to 10 people can meet to share what they have discovered and perhaps for a time of prayer.

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2007

June

Mark 6:6b-13: Bringing Good News
Then Jesus went around teaching from village to village. Calling the Twelve to him, he sent them out two by two and gave them authority over evil spirits. These were his instructions: "Take nothing for the journey except a staff— no bread, no bag, no money in your belts. Wear sandals but not an extra tunic. Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you leave that town. 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." They went out and preached that people should repent. They drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them. (Mark 6:6b-13 NIV)

Jesus does not accomplish his mission alone. He gathers a group of friends to be with him and to announce the good news that the Kingdom of God is near. Like Jesus, who goes to teach in the surrounding villages, the disciples are sent out. But they cannot announce the gospel just through their words. They must also announce it by the way they live.

“Take nothing…except a staff.“ Jesus’ instructions to the disciples are demanding. No bread, trusting that their needs will be met. No purse, which most beggars had in order to put alms. Not even a spare tunic, like those who are well off. The only thing that a disciple needs for the journey is whatever is indispensable to walk, a staff and sandals. Jesus invites his disciples to set out devoid of all types of security, placing their trust in God alone.

The message is offered to all. Jesus tells his disciples to “enter a house anywhere and to stay.” At that time, Jewish travellers would normally stay in the home of another member of their community out of respect for God’s law and fear of becoming impure. By accepting the hospitality of others, whoever they may be, the disciples are saying that the message goes beyond social and religious barriers.

However, the message it is not welcomed by everyone (see v. 11). In face of such resistance, what is important is not to be discouraged or detained. “Shake off the dust” and continue the journey.

The life of those who do welcome the gospel can be transformed. The disciples are given the same authority as Jesus: to heal the sick and cast out demons. What can healing the sick and casting out demons mean for us today? Perhaps it means liberating those who are imprisoned by sadness and discouragement, giving hope to those who think that their lives have no meaning. In order to do this we must trust and remain rooted in the essential.

- If Jesus sent out his disciples today, what instructions do you think he would give them?

- What gives you a sense of security?

- When have you had to go beyond your fears and set out with very little? What did you learn from this experience?

- What can healing the sick and casting out demons mean for us today?



Other bible meditations:

Last updated: 1 March 2024