Thoughts: Jesus was sent to us. He came down to our level. He came to understand who we are, to sympathize. But He also came to redeem us, heal us, forgive us, teach us how to live and pray. He pointed us up to the Father.
It is interesting that Jesus sends with words of peace. Sending is not the way of worry and the snuffing out of life. We are sent out of a wish of peace. The way to have peace is to answer the call of the One who made us, Redeems us, and loves us. Mark couples this idea of sentness- with words that remind us that nothing will harm us if we do God's will- whether handling snakes or drinking poison. Those who test such things in the mountain churches find that the snake occasionally will bit, and the poison will hurt. Most of the times these testers are not trying to answer the call to be sent when they do this. But the message is danger cannot snuff out our lives. If you want to hve peace in the face of danger and worry- then answer God's call. There will be heartaches, illness, and problems along the way.
William Borden was heir of a large fortune, and a graduate of Yale who made a radical conversion to Christ. He left his world of business, answering a call to be a missionary to the Muslims in Egypt. But when he got off the boat in Egypt he became gravely ill. Many wondered if he had wasted his life. His mother found this in his Bible:
"No Reserve"- when he made the decision to leave business and fortune to go into missions.
"No Retreat"- when his father told him he could not come back to the family business after he left.
"No Regrets"-- when he was dying on his deathbed.
A sent life is a purposeful and peaceful, non-regretful life.
Prayer: Lord, Give me grace to answer your call. Give me grace to have your peace when I do it.
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