An Apostolic Preseason Game

Getting up to Game Speed

In order to get ready for the real games, athletes need something more than just practice. Maybe it’s a scrimmage, where you play at game speed against your teammates. But even better, are preseason games against real opponents. They may be frightfully boring for fans but incredibly necessary for the teams.

These exhibition contests may not count in the standings, but they allow you to put into practice what you’ve been working on in practice. They give coaches the chance to see what you’re doing right and what still needs work.

Jesus Coaches Them up

Did you know we get a box seats to an apostolic preseason game in Mark’s Gospel (Mk 6:7-13)? We get locker room access to see Jesus coaching up His boys and then sending them out onto the field. The team doesn’t know it yet, but the start of the regular season is right around the corner.

It’s interesting to note that this comes on the heels of Christ playing a tough home game (Mk 6:1-6). He returns to Nazareth only to have the home crowd turn on Him. They aren’t buying His claim to be God’s long promised Hero. They simply see Him as the local Carpenter. You know, Joe and Mary’s Boy.

Pregame Instructions

Actually most of what Mark describes in this next passage is actually the Lord giving His guys pregame instructions (v7-11). He assigns them each a teammate (v7), the ability to do the job (v7), the specific equipment they will need (v8-9), what to do when they get on the field (v10), and a realistic expectation of what to expect (v11).

The author only provides a brief summary of what actually happens in the game (v12-13). If you’re a sports fan, you know how difficult it can be to find details of preseason games. Sometimes you’re lucky just to find a boxscore. Same here.

A Timeless Coaching Method

After taking His boys on a teaching tour of the villages surrounding Nazareth (Mk 6:6), Jesus decides it’s time for His team to give it a try without Him. “And He called His twelve disciples together and began sending them out two by two, giving them authority to cast out evil spirits” (v7).

Mark begins by showing Jesus doing something that He’s still doing today. He calls His team in so that he can send them out. Christ’s timeless coaching method begins with bringing His followers in close.

In doing so, our Savior reveals His heart, His vision, and His strategy. Over and over, He personally demonstrates what to do. Teaching. Healing. Loving. His disciples get an up close and personal look at both the why and the how.

Jesus’ Supernatural Game Plan

Two thousand years later, He still does the same for us. After heading home to His Father in heaven, Jesus left us His playbook in the form of His Word. In it, the Lord explains His supernatural game plan. In the four Gospels, we can sit back and watch the game films of how He did it.

But the Son of God doesn’t just call His team into the locker room for an endless strategy session. Eventually He sends them out onto the field. Same with you and me. Jesus calls us in so that He can send us out.

Disciples and Apostles…What’s the Difference?

Did you know that’s the difference in referring to His crew as “disciples” and “apostles?” Jesus calls His disciples close. He sends His apostles out. We actually see that when we take a closer look at the original language in verse 7.

The word the NLT translates as “sending” is actually the Greek verb αποστελλω/apostello. Do you see it? Yup, it’s where we get the word apostle. It means to send with full authority and a particular purpose.

Capital “A” Apostles

When Christ prays for His crew the night before His crucifixion, He uses the same word when talking to His Heavenly Dad. “Just as You sent (Gr. αποστελλω/apostello) me into the world, I am sending (Gr. αποστελλω/apostello) them into the world” (Jn 17:18).

Just to be sure, Jesus didn’t stop sending people after sending His very first team. Oh, there aren’t any more capital “A” Apostles. Those are the guys He sent after they personally saw His resurrection. But there are lowercase “a” apostles all over the place.

He Still Sends

That’s because He’s still sending folks in His name with full authority and a particular purpose. One of those people is actually reading these words right now. Yeah, I’m talking to YOU! If you’re a follower of Jesus, He’s called you in so that He can send you out. It’s time to get on the field (Mt 28:18-20).

Our Savior gathers His people together today. For weekend worship. In small groups. In Sunday school. There’s power and encouragement when believers connect. Did you know that Jesus actually prays for this to happen. He asks His Father to make us just as close with each other as the Two of them are (Jn 17:21).

Get in the Game!

But coming together isn’t the end game. He sends each of us to get into THE Game! Jesus releases us into the world as shiners of His light and spreaders of His salt. That doesn’t happen if we never leave the holy huddle.

Teams of Two

Back inside the apostolic locker room before the exhibition game, the Lord pairs the boys in teams of two. He sends them out “two by two” (v7). Mark gives us this juicy little tidbit that we don’t see when Matt and Dr. Luke tell this same story (Mt 10:1, 5-15; Lk 9:1-6).

It’s one of the reasons why I love Mark’s Gospel. He gives you cool firsthand details we don’t see anywhere else. Where’s he getting his info? The one and only Apostle Peter. The early followers of Jesus believed the disciple Christ nicknamed Rocky actually ghostwrites the second Gospel.

It’s a Team Sport

Christ teams the boys up “two by two” (v7). What a great reminder that our faith is a team sport. Is each one of us individually accountable to God? Absolutely. But Christ places us into His Body so we won’t be alone. Remember, a sheep flying solo is an easy target for the enemy.

Working in pairs is another one of Jesus’ classic coaching methods. When the boys go out, they’re never alone. The other brother covers your backside. Teams of two provide accountability, encouragement, help, and discernment. It also meets the minimum legal requirement for testimony in court (Dt 19:15).

We’re Better Together

It’s exactly the kind of thing Solomon writes about in Ecclesiastes 4:10-12. “Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed” (Ecc 4:10). There’s always someone there to pick you, keep you warm, and have your back. We’re better together.

Solomon reminds us that when two team up in God’s name, they’re actually like a triple-braided rope (Ecc 4:12). Who’s that Third Person? You get three guesses and the first two don’t count. Yup, none other than Jesus Himself.

Continuous Power and Authority

The Lord tells them what to do and gives them the power to do it, “giving them authority to cast out evil spirits” (v7). Matthew is a little more specific when he quotes Christ. “Heal the sick, raise the dead, cure those with leprosy, and cast out demons” (Mt 10:8). In other words, give folks a sneak preview of God’s kingdom.

Bible experts point out that the grammar here is important. The form of the verb here tells us Jesus keeps on giving His posse continuous power and authority all through their tour. When we obey Our Savior’s instructions, He won’t leave us hanging.

ALL Authority

Jesus can give us divine authority because He’s received it straight from His Dad. “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth” (Mt 28:18). Not a little. Not some. Not a big chunk. But ALL authority. A-L-L. That’s what makes Him the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.

On one hand, He sends us all of us in His authority. With His full backing, “we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making His appeal through us” (2Cor 5:20). He sends us out to be disciple-making disciples (Mt 28:19-20).

Don’t Leave Home without It

On the other, we have absolutely no clout without Christ. Don’t believe me? Read what happens to seven brothers who get too big for their spiritual britches and try to exorcise a demon without Jesus’ authority (Acts 19:13-16). They ended up running out the front door naked and bleeding.

As Matt Chandler likes to say, anytime you start a fight wearing pants and you’re buck naked when it’s over…YOU LOST! These bros get demonically spanked because they didn’t have the Lord’s backing. Forget American Express. Jesus’ authority. Don’t leave home without it.

No Frills

For this mission, the Lord won’t let them take a lot of gear. “He told them to take nothing for their journey except a walking stick—no food, no traveler’s bag, no money” (v8). This is no pleasure cruise or luxury vacation. This is to be no frills, more like camping and hiking.

Jesus also limits their luggage. “He allowed them to wear sandals but not take a change of clothes” (v9). There will be no bags to check. Just a small carry on. John MacArthur points out that in the First Century a change of clothes was a status symbol. A limited wardrobe allows them to identify with the working poor.

You Are the Equipment

Take only the essentials. And the only true essentials are His authority and His message. This particular opportunity is going to be an object lesson in faith. Trust God to provide. Trust Him to provide meals. Trust Him to pay your way.

I absolutely love how the Message treats these verses. “Don’t think you need a lot of extra equipment for this. You are the equipment. No special appeals for funds. Keep it simple” (v8-9 The Message). Alexander MacLaren puts it this way. Minimum provision calls us to maximum faith.

Pack light. Travel light. Shine the light.

Stay in Position

Jesus tells His team where to go and how long to stay there. “‘Wherever you go,’ He said, ‘stay in the same house until you leave town’” (v10). Stay in your position when you get into the game. Don’t start running randomly all over the field. Don’t go rogue. Don’t freelance.

He wants them to be smart about where they stay. Remember, there are no Comfort Inns or Radissons where they’re going. Think a bare bones AirBnB or VRBO.

Settle in and Settle down

Christ instructs them to settle in and settle down. Don’t jump from house to house. Don’t look for a better offer. It’s His way of saying true contentment comes from their relationship with Him, not their housing situation (Phil 4:12-13; 1Tim 6:6).

Staying in the same place allows them to build relationships. It’s a reminder that they’re there to serve. The Twelve are to focus on loving people well by meeting both their spiritual needs through repentance, as well as physical needs by casting out demons and healing the sick.

It Won’t Be Easy

Just before they leave the locker room, Jesus wants His boys to know that it won’t be easy. “But if any place refuses to welcome you or listen to you, shake its dust from your feet as you leave to show that you have abandoned those people to their fate” (v11).

You don’t have to squint to see application to living on mission for Jesus today. Don’t expect to just roll your helmets onto the field and win. Expect it to be hard. Some folks don’t want anything to do with Christ or His gracious Gospel.

Making the Introduction

Remember, we’re NOT responsible for how others react to the Good News. We’re simply called to share Jesus’ offer clearly and faithfully. Our assignment is to spread the Gospel. It’s God’s job to save them. We just make the introduction. The rest is up to Him.

Does it hurt when folks you care about give you the Heisman when you offer God’s grace? You betcha. But stay cool. “If you’re not welcomed, not listened to, quietly withdraw. Don’t make a scene. Shrug your shoulders and be on your way” (v11 The Message).

Time to Take the Field

It’s time for Team Jesus to take the field for their first preseason game. “So the disciples went out, telling everyone they met to repent of their sins and turn to God” (v12). They run out of the tunnel and do exactly what their Coach tells them to do.

They preach repentance. That’s a religious word that’s gotten a bad rap in recent years. At its core, repentance means turn from your sin and turn to God. Do a 180 from the broken and dysfunctional life you’ve been trying to live on your own and grab ahold of the overflowing, abundant life Jesus offers (Jn 10:10).

Stop Where You Are

The core of Christ’s message is that you and I can’t do it apart from Him. And by “it,” I mean life. He came and lived the perfect life we’ve failed to live. He came and died the death for our sin and rebellion we deserve. He came and gave us a radically new resurrection life we could never gain on our own.

God offers each of us His incredible gift of repentance. He desperately wants us to know that we can stop right where we are and turn back to Him. There’s no “getting myself cleaned up before coming back to church.” Just turn around. When you do, you’ll be surprised that Jesus has been right there waiting for this moment your entire life.

Fixing Broken Lives

The other quick highlight from this apostolic exhibition game is how Jesus uses the boys to fix broken lives, both spiritually and physically. “And they cast out many demons and healed many sick people, anointing them with olive oil” (v13). They stick to the Lord’s game plan He shares in back in the locker room (v7) and send Satan’s posse packing.

Medicinal Duct Tape

Our Savior also works through the disciples to restore health. Apart from the healing power of the Great Physician, their main medicine is olive oil. It’s the go-to cure-all for folks back in the First Century. Kinda like aspirin or ibuprofen for us today.

Since they clearly didn’t have carry a bottle with them when they left Jesus, they use the household oil that people have in their homes. It’s something you would find in medicine cabinet of every Palestinian home. Think of olive oil as medicinal duct tape.

Take Your Meds

In one of Jesus’ most famous parables, a guy we now call the good Samaritan provides first aid with it when helping a victim of violent crime. “The Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them” (Lk 10:34).

According to Jesus’ kid brother, church leaders are to apply olive oil meds to those who are sick as they pray for them (James 5:14). It’s a reminder of how God works through healthcare professionals. Following a physician’s orders does NOT demonstrate a lack of faith. Go to the doctor. Take your medicine.

A Sneak Preview

The application of olive oil could also be sneak preview for the anointing of the Holy Spirit. God the Father and God the Son send God the Spirit to each and every believer after Jesus heads back home to heaven (Acts 2:1-4; Rom 8:9; 1Cor 3:16; 6:19; Gal 4:6; Eph 5:18). If you follow Jesus, He’s drenched you in His Spirit.

The disciples provide healing and give us a peak behind the curtain of eternity. On the other side, God promises to put sickness and suffering in the rearview mirror once and for all (1Cor 15:42-43; Rev 21:4). No more flu shots or funerals. I, for one, can’t wait!

Hit the Road in Our Flip Flops?

So what do you and do with this passage? Do head out on assignment in Jesus’ name without a change of clothes wearing our flip flops? Do we randomly knock on doors asking if we can crash in some stranger’s guest room?

Let’s remember that the Lord still calls us in so that He can send us out. Make a point of regularly gathering with other believers. In rows at church on the weekend. In circles in small groups during the week.

But Christ doesn’t call us in so that we can stay there. He regularly sends us out into a lost and dying world. To our neighborhoods. To our jobs. Everywhere we go we’re to shine His light and spread His salt.

Pregame Jitters

Some of us probably have pregame jitters. It’s understandable to have butterflies before we leave the locker room. I’m sure Jesus’ original squad was nervous too. But He’s sending each one of us out to play our position.

Just like the Twelve did before their first preseason game, go ahead and buckle your chinstrap. It’s time to get on the field.