Devo: Mark 6:13-19

“And He went up on the mountain and called to Him those He Himself wanted.” V. 13

The disciples learned from being with Jesus, from seeing how Jesus lived, listening to His preaching, and receiving God’s message. They learned from Jesus Himself. They did not go to school to train. They spent time with Jesus. They were always with Jesus. They had a personal encounter and a relationship with Jesus.

“Then He appointed twelve, that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach, and to have power to heal sicknesses and to cast out demons…” VV. 14-15

Jesus appointed the twelve disciples to continue His mission on earth. He wanted to train them and eventually send them out to preach, to heal, and to cast out demons. The power that believers have to carry out out God-given mission is from God Himself. God will enable and empower us to do the things He commands us to do.

God does not choose perfect people to serve Him. The twelve disciples committed a lot of mistakes. Judas Iscariot eventually betrayed Jesus. Only God knows why He chose Judas. However, we know that what Judas did brought Jesus to the cross. I don’t know why God chose me, but I am grateful that He did. I don’t know what I’d do without Him. I am only here today because of Him. I am only able to press on because of the Lord.

Those who believe in the Lord are commanded by God to preach, heal sicknesses, and cast out demons. Jesus gave His disciples the great commission.

Matthew 28:18-20
“And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’ Amen.“