Prayer
Briefly prepare your heart in silence, and ask the Holy Spirit to awaken your sense of anticipation that God is about to speak to you through His Word. Then, before you read, I invite you to pray this prayer based on Psalm 130:5
I wait for You, Lord, my whole being waits,
and in Your word I put my hope.
Speak to me Lord, I pray! Amen.
Reading
Until this point in Mark’s Gospel, Jesus had called Simon, Andrew, James and John to follow Him. Others had been drawn to Him by His authoritative teaching and powerful works. But now the time had come for Him to establish the inner core group who would be His closest disciples and to whom He would entrust the extension of His ministry. These were men who would not only be instructed by Jesus personally but would also be anointed with authority for ministry.
The beautiful way Mark describes Jesus’ intention is instructive for our own discipleship. He writes,
14 He appointed twelve that they might be with him and that he might send them out …
This statement tells us that all disciples are first called, appointed, and set apart to “be with Jesus.” Life as a disciple of Jesus is meant to be a daily, hourly, moment-by-moment relationship of companionship and friendship with Jesus. This relationship with Him is foundational. It is far more important than having perfect doctrine or a powerful ministry.
To walk with Jesus, enjoy His company, talk to Him, listen for His voice, know Him and be known by Him – that is the invitation.
Of course it does not end there. Being with Jesus wondrously impacts our lives and transforms our priorities, our attitudes towards others, and our behaviour. Walking with Jesus will almost certainly cause us to draw others to Him by our transformed character, words and deeds. And that’s part two of our discipleship calling. He calls us to be with Him and then he sends us out.
Could it be that much of the pressure and anxiety we feel in our discipleship and ministries is rooted in a reversal of these two priorities? When we try to get active in ministry and mission while neglecting the more essential element of “being with Jesus” we will always operate from emptiness. Our action for Jesus is supposed to flow out of our relationship with Jesus. Will you accept this order of priorities in your discipleship today?
Contemplation
Please take time to ponder what Jesus has commanded us. Turn one or more of these declarations over and over in your mind. Keep them in mind throughout the day and live in step with Your King, Jesus.
As a disciple of Jesus Christ:
- I will focus on companionship with Jesus in every situation today.
- I will allow His presence and power to flow naturally out through me in ministry to others.
Lord Jesus, be with me today. Help me to be with You and to be attentive to You in every moment. May our intimacy move me outward into moments of ministry that are natural outflowings of Your presence and power. Amen.
Dave's Diary 