Flickr photo by MindsEye_PJ
reflections
M a r k 3:1 4 “That they might be with Him”
I
n the beginning, the story goes, God spoke a cosmos into being, calling it out of chaos, drawing it with His words. Lifting a finger was needless with such omnipotence. Ironically, rest utterly characterized the most energetic endeavour in the universe. Jesus’ incarnation unlocked the possibility of the Divine experiencing physical weariness, but He knew how to abide (a loyal, constant, and perseverant residence or frequent resort), as He had been abiding with His Father since the beginning. Out of this consistent residence with God, He drew everything He needed in every circumstance. With empathy at the core of God’s incarnational project, Jesus draws others into close relationship with Him and teaches them all if they are willing to hear. One of His most central teachings is abiding. Over and over again, Jesus imparts the importance of abiding and models it with His lifestyle. Mark 3:13-19 narrates the calling of Jesus’ twelve apostles, stating that He wanted them, that He called them, and that He appointed them. What was their appointment?
First, to be with Him. The original commission of the twelve disciples — like the original commission of Israel and of humankind — was to be with God, to do life with Him involved. Second, Jesus gives His disciples authority — supernatural power. Power to preach, to heal sicknesses, and to cast out demonic spirits. They receive the power to restore. They are likely eager to get out and start putting things right. After all, the church has been involved with justice from its inception. Yet, Jesus immediately pulls them back to their first appointment — to be with him — and they go into a house. With God dwelling in you, you are powerful. Make no mistake, there is power at work. The real question is what kind of power you are exercising. Are you becoming more like God? If you abide in God, you will become like Him. If you do not stay close to God, you will not become like Him, and can inf lict damage as His representative. Your first mission is to abide. The success of your second mission, and every subsequent challenge, depends on it.
— cr a ig
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