22. Mark 6:7-13: The FoK Sent Out

The Story To-Date

We have seen so far that Mark has demonstrated Jesus’ authority and the scope and spread of his ministry. Opposition has sprung up to meet him, both human and supra-human, a mortal threat. Jesus gathers his New Israel and they join him in his New Exodus procession. The time has come, though, for them to fully participate in the work.

The FoK is Launched

As he teaches in the villages, Jesus summons the twelve. He pairs them up and sends them out to exercise his authority over his mission’s spiritual opponents (v.7). The Fellowship of the King is launched. Jesus sends his people out to face the real enemy behind all human ills and evils. That’s why he gives them his authority to prevail over them.

Elrond’s words to the dwarves on the eve of the Fellowship of the Rings’ departure parallel, I suspect, something of the weightiness of Jesus’ call to mission to his Fellowship of the King.

"You do not stand alone. You will learn that your trouble is but part of the trouble of all the western world. The Ring! What shall we do with the Ring, the least of Rings, the trifle that Sauron fancies? . . . "That is the purpose for which you are called hither. Called, I say, though I have not called you to me, strangers from distant lands. You have come and are here met, in this very nick of time, by chance as it may seem. Yet it is not so. Believe rather that it is so ordered that we, who sit here, and none others, must now find counsel for the peril of the world." (Rutledge, The Battle for Middle-earth:1172-1175)

Through Jesus, his disciples know God himself has called them for this work. And equipped them. And prepared them.

"The road must be trod, but it will be very hard. And neither strength nor wisdom will carry us far upon it. This quest may be attempted by the weak with as much hope as the strong. Yet such is oft the course of deeds that move the wheels of the world; small hands do them because they must, while the eyes of the great are elsewhere." (Rutledge, The Battle for Middle-earth:1410-1412)

These words encourage the FoR that though they are small and unimportant figures for the most part, it is the work of just such folk that often carries the day. And this has been just what Messiah Jesus has been teaching his FoK.

Eugene Boring observes: “The instructions for the journey . . . reflect the exodus motifs of food, sandals, tunic, and staff (cf. Exod 12:11; Deut 8:4; 29:5). Perceptive readers in Mark’s church will remember that the whole narrative is conceived in terms of the new exodus, the way (hodos) through the wilderness promised in Isaiah.” (Boring, M. Eugene. Mark: A Commentary (The New Testament Library) (Kindle Locations 4924-4927). Presbyterian Publishing Corporation. Kindle Edition.)

The provision for the journey will come from hospitable folks in the villages to which they travel. Where they meet with welcome, there they stay. Where no welcome is forthcoming the disciples are to treat such people as unclean, as Gentiles. An Israelite returning from Gentile lands would shake the dust from those lands off their feet upon reentering Israel (v.11).

This may seem harsh and judgmental. That’s because it is! This mission of Jesus recruiting for God’s New Exodus is the people’s last chance. Jesus is reconstituting Abrahamic Israel. The calamity is coming. Now is decision time.

The pairs of disciples carry out their mission calling for repentance (see comments on repentance in 1:14-15). They carry on Jesus healing and exorcistic ministry. Jesus is as good as his word. The authority given them makes their mission successful.