Mark 6: 1-13

This summer we find ourselves immersed in the Gospel of Mark. Here in the second of our three-year lectionary cycle, the New Testament texts come from this spirited book, writings describing the actions and teachings of Jesus in a dramatic way. Working to build the fledgling Christian church at a time of great religious and political upheaval, the author of this gospel casts story after story to make his point clear: Jesus Christ is the Messiah. Jesus Christ is God incarnate, his Spirit and teachings offering a path to radical, triumphant salvation. Again and again the author of Mark is saying, "Hang on, people. Jesus Christ is leading us to God's reign of peace and salvation."

Laying the groundwork for such a faith-filled and hopeful message occurs uniquely in the body of this writing. Proclaiming the good news (as the word "gospel" is literally translated) means that Mark puts together straightforward and compelling accounts in order to buoy up moral. Written fifteen to twenty years before the gospels of Matthew and Luke, at a time and in a place where the message of Christ was dangerously close to being beaten down to extinction, the author of our text today worked hard and quickly to salvage the truths of our budding tradition. Naming Jesus as the Christ, expressing the fact that this man, this God, was the One to hold on to, took incredible courage and conviction. Facing the threat of persecution by Roman and Jewish authorities as well as violent dissent by members of the inner church, Mark gave bold witness to both solid Christian theology and faithful singleness of heart.

Dedicating himself to spreading the Word of God's new realm, Mark sought to inspire others to do the same. Writing to a specific community of converts (unlike Matthew's and Luke's texts addressed to a more general audience), the verses before us this morning work to instill the meaning and urgency of the Christian message. They outline the truth that as Jesus is God's Messiah offering teaching and healing to people even in the face of ridicule and rejection, so his disciples are called to ministries of mercy as well. Mark illustrates the central teaching of our faith: as God came to earth in the person Christ to serve those in need, so shall we serve.

It was Dostoievsky who once wrote, "Let us be servants in order to be leaders." That is the operative theology we see at work here, both in Mark's writing as well as in Christ's actions. Looking back at the passages that precede this text we can see Jesus' leadership develop through his constant serving of people. In chapters one and two he cures the sick; in three and five he casts out demons; in four he offers God's spirit of forgiveness and justice through the teaching of parables. Right from the start of this gospel Mark lays out incredible displays of Christ's service and prophecy, choosing to ignore the more theological constructs of Jesus' birth, his lineage to David or Adam. In every chapter Mark's message is action-packed and miraculous, giving clear illustration of the fact that Jesus, this Christ, is One who leads through unending service. He's a man on the move, working hard to offer compassion and healing to this broken world.

As we know, this ministry eventually leads him home. Returning to Nazareth as a miracle worker, Jesus is met by disrespect and disdain. His leadership is questioned; his offerings of service and care denied. The scene is one we may recall clearly from our years of Christian reflection. Returning to his hometown, Jesus is rejected and imagining the scene we can nearly hear the whispers among those standing in the synagogue. "This is Jesus, son of Mary and Joseph, the boy next door. What's he doing here? What's he saying? Just who does he think he is?"

This is the Son of God, all of Mark's gospel explains. This is the Christ, come to offer salvation. Repent ¡ª meaning turn to God, turn to grace, turn to this Jesus Christ, who leads us by serving us in the Spirit of our divine Creator. Revealing the urgent power of Christ's ministry in this gospel, Mark's underlying point behind this scene is clear. He's saying to that early church, "Don't you see? Don't you understand? You're not the first to question Christ's authority! The scowls and shrugs in this story ¡ª they could be yours, they could be the person's standing next to you. Christ is always questioned ¡ª not just by religious or political authorities, but by common people, men and women like you and like me. But that hasn't stopped his ministry. Jesus is still the Christ. His mission lives on."

Mark's point becomes even clearer as we enter the second portion of our reading today. Rather than ending this scene on a note of scorn and failure, this gospel illustrates the continuation of Christ's ministry in a dramatic way. Remember conclusion of the verses? Upon his rejection in Nazareth, what does Jesus do? Does he walk off in shame or hover in a corner, offering apologies and explanations? No! In stark contrast Mark continues this scene with the commissioning of the disciples. Jesus sends the twelve out two by two to minister in his name. What a daring move. What a triumph. In the face of utter rejection we see Christ continue to offer a ministry of reconciliation and renewal. What a testament to his power and authority.

And behind these words we can hear Mark continuing to offer strength to his congregation. With this scene he reminds his downcast lot that Jesus is the Christ to be followed, that this man is God in human form and figure. "If you can't believe with your mind," he's saying, "then believe with your eyes, your ears. Look at what he's doing! Listen to what is being said in his name! You are witnesses to the power of God in Christ's actions of mercy and healing. Believe in this truth: God is among us! Christ is leading the way!"

Two by two the disciples are sent out, provided with words of instruction and encouragement, offered warnings about their own upcoming rejection and strife. They go forth by the grace of God to offer healing and prophecy, human beings infused with divine light and life. The mission of the church begins. In the face of rejection and despair the power of Christ is extended to include the twelve with whom he travels. As a clear precursor of the ultimate triumph over his death on the cross, we see Christ leading his people on by inspiring them to offer God's healing love to others. He empowers them to serve as he serves.

Faith in action. Visible commitment through times of strife and hardship. Unending devotion, even when rejection and ridicule pervade. Like the catchy cliché that goes, "When the going gets tough, the tough get going," this gospel captures the undeniable truth that Jesus Christ, our Lord and God, didn't have it easy and so we aren't going to have it easy either. Capturing the most foundational tenet of our Christian faith, these verses lay it on the line: Put on your walking shoes. We're being sent off, two by two. Get ready to work. Be prepared to suffer. This religion requires us to put our faith into action. That's what it means to proclaim Jesus Christ as God incarnate. As put by William Penn, the English Quaker and founder of the state of Pennsylvania as a colony of religious liberty, "To be like Christ is to be a Christian."

Just who do you think you are? Similar to the way we see Jesus questioned by the towns people of his youth, so we may ask ourselves that question today. Who do we think we are? How does our faith in God change the way we act? How does the revelation of God's presence in this world through the person of Christ inspire us to serve? Just who do we think we are?

John Calvin, in his incredible testament to our tradition of faith titled Institutes of the Christian Religion, answers that question clear conviction. From the many hundreds of pages of that tomb he states: "We ourselves are God's true temples." With words like these we're reminded that as servants like Christ we bear God's love to the world. As believers we're given transformative power. Offering our lives as "God's true temples" we give witness to the mercy and care, the call to justice and sharing, that Christ brings to the broken and confused, the lost and the suffering. As Christians we know who we are. We are the living, loving body of Christ, in this day, in this place. By the grace of God Christ lives through us.

Being Christian is never an easy task. Answering the call to devoted service takes courage and perseverance. But facing the challenges of living our faith we can be assured that like those first disciples in Mark's community we're offered strength and inspiration as we embrace Christ as the living God among us. Whether we face the threat of rejection or ridicule, doubt or despair, we can trust God is with us, God is working through us to offer compassion and healing. As Christian servants we are given the opportunity lead in the most powerful way. We may lead by serving as did Christ, our Lord, our Savior.

Let us pray.

Everlasting God, empowering Christ, we wish to offer our lives to you. We want to serve with courage and conviction. Lead us, we pray, inspire and renew us, that by the strength of our faith in you the actions of our hearts and hands may give witness to your love, your justice, your care.

Amen.

SCRIPTURE READING

Mark 6: 1-13

He left that place and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. On the Sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astounded. They said, "Where did this man get all this? What is this wisdom that has been given to him? What deeds of power are being done by his hands! Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon, are are not his sisters here with us?" And they took offense at him. Then Jesus said to them, "Prophets are not without honor, except in their hometown, and among their own kin, and in their own house." And he could do no deed of power there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and cured them. And he was amazed at their unbelief.

Then he went about among the villages teaching. He called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. He ordered them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts; but to wear sandals and not to put on two tunics. He said to them, "Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave the place. If any place will not welcome you and they refuse to hear you, as you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them." 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.