In the month of October (i.e., prior to Halloween), there is a significant increase in the number of movies and shows about evil things. I don’t know about you, but I’m not a big fan of shows about those who have been possessed by demons, because I believe that the reality of evil in the spiritual world (which sometimes intersects with the material world) is deadly serious.
Having said that, people in first-century Galilee were probably more aware of the presence of evil spirits (compared to many people today), and I suspect that demon-possession in that day was less about “Hollywood”, and more about heartbreak for loved ones. I don’t think that the underlying problem with demon-possession has changed over the years, but our culture – and even the church at large – is sometimes less likely to acknowledge it.
Regardless, the twelve apostles were given authority over unclean spirits by Jesus Himself.
Calling the Twelve to him, he began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over impure spirits.
Mark 6:7 NIV
https://bible.com/bible/111/mrk.6.7.NIV
That wasn’t the end of their mission, though. Continuing in Mark 6:8-11, in addition to receiving authority from Jesus, these 12 disciples also received instructions from Jesus.
Now, I don’t know what kind of a packer you are for a trip: whether you can fit a whole week’s worth of necessities into a carry-on, or if you need one of those luggage carts when you get to the hotel, even when you’re only staying one night. Depending on the trip, my wife and I vary in how much we pack, but when we have the room (like when it’s just the two of us and we’re driving somewhere), it’s easy to throw in extra…just in case we need it.
The apostles here were called to travel really light, though. No snacks for the trip, no money, no extra clothes, not even a bag (not even the bag for dirty laundry that we forget to bring sometimes). As I see it, this would make them entirely dependent upon the good will of others, or – like Elijah and the ravens in 1 Kings 17:2-6 – God would need to provide for them. They had to set out in faith that they would be taken care of.
Jesus’ instructions to His disciples also meant that they would have to accept help. They would have to request food and shelter, or at least make their role known enough to receive an offer of hospitality. (On the other hand, if they found a place to stay, they were supposed to not “shop around” for something else.)
And, if a town wouldn’t accept the message, they were to move on. There was a point where it would no longer be part of their mission to preach in a town if the message wasn’t being accepted. While it’s often not what we want to have happen, I’m afraid that one part of ministry is knowing when to move on.
Continuing in this chapter from the Gospel of Mark, the apostles seem to have obeyed Jesus’ instructions.
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 6:12-13 NIV
https://bible.com/bible/111/mrk.6.12-13.NIV
Note that they were given authority and ability, but they were expected to go out with faith and speak the word with humility. For us today, as ambassadors for Jesus (like Paul in 2 Corinthians 5:20), are we willing to do the same? Are we willing to trust that God will take care of us, even when we don’t have a big bank account or a well-stocked closet, or maybe even a working car? Are we willing to let others in the Body of Christ help us when we need it?
Or, like stereotypical Americans, are we relying on our self and our stuff to get us by? I regret to admit that I’m often in this latter camp. That’s probably why God can only trust me with a certain amount of responsibility, authority, or opportunity.
Obedience to Jesus resulted in success for the apostles, though. So, even if we sometimes waffle in our faith, when Jesus calls us, let’s go! We can’t sit around wishing that we had authority and ability – or that we could be “super-Christians” on our own – when He is calling us to step out in faith and humility, and when He calls us to rely on others as part of His plan.
From Sunday School lesson prepared for October 5, 2025
References:
- Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
- The College Press NIV Commentary – Mark, by Allen Black. © 1995 College Press Publishing Co.
Those Who Sin Differently 