Mark 6:6b-13

“So they went out and proclaimed that all should repent. They cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.” vss. 12-13

After leaving Nazareth, Mark says that Jesus went out and continued his ministry, but soon discovered that there was too much for him to do by himself. So he sent out the disciples and sent them two by two into the surrounding villages. He told them they wouldn’t need to bring a change of clothes and they wouldn’t need money or food. Their message was to be brief. They would go proclaiming the coming of the kingdom and the need for all to repent, and on the way they were to cast out demons and cure those who were sick. Not everyone had demons and not everyone needed healing, but all they encountered should repent. That same principle applies to the mission of every congregation among us as well. All continue to need repentance, and that includes believers as well as non-believers. Some might scoff at that notion. In their estimation they don’t need to change, but are as perfect as they’re ever going to be, and some claim they don’t even need to practice forgiveness! But because we live in a broken world, even though we are good, we will continually need the fixing that comes through the Holy Spirit. We’re always in the process of change. Repentance is a lifetime project, and not a singular event. 

Thought for the Day: What happens when I refuse to repent?