How to Human
Mark 6:7-29
Around the year AD 1220, a wolf was terrorizing the citizens of Gubbio. The people we so terrified that people dared venture from their homes. Hearing this a monk set out to find the wolf, rather than stay in the church. The monk went to a place it was often found. The monk found what he was looking for because the wolf soon charged at him, open mouth and menacing. The monk called out, “Come to me, Brother Wolf. In the name of Christ, I order you not to hurt me or anyone.” The frightened companions, which had been following at a distance, were astonished to see the wolf slow then stop, close its jaws, and lie down at the monk’s feet. As it lay down, the monk addresses the wolf, “Brother Wolf, you have done great harm in the region…and this whole town is your enemy. But Brother Wolf, I want to make peace between you and them, so that they will not be harmed by you anymore.” The monk reached an agreement with the wolf. From that day forward, both the people and the wolf kept their promise that neither would harm the other. The monk that brokered such peace was St. Francis of Assisi. He saw and did many wonders in his day, but the miracle in itself was never the goal.
Richard Foster in Streams of Living Water writes, “Power is not an end in itself, it was never intended to be. Healthy spiritual power is, of necessity, tied to spiritual growth.”
We need spiritual growth because we experience humanity devoid of spiritual connection to the Maker apart from Jesus. It is only in connection to him that humanity actually starts to human well–that true power is rightfully expressed.
Dallas Willard in The Spirit of the Disciplines writes, “It is still true today that the greatest and most admirable power of humans over animals is not found in those who slaughter or abuse them, but in those who can govern their behavior by speaking to them–by communicating with them. The pen is mightier than the sword because it teaches the deeper dimensions of us and our world. Anyone with a gun can blow the head off a cobra, but to charm it into quiescence with a flute is quite another thing.”
When Jesus calls his disciples to him in Mark 6:7, he is restoring both the authority and dependence of God that came with being the original human. As the disciples move throughout the region, both in places of hospitality and rejection, people would see humanity function at its best through the disciples. The human as humans were intended to human. It’s not a humanity that stays in the confines of the home, but ventures out into the world; it’s a humanity that is sent with a purpose. As we interact with this pericope, we encounter a common response to those who don’t want to live under the authority of Jesus.
Humanity under the authority of Jesus, dependant on God the Father, and empowered by the Holy Spirit would threaten any lesser inhumane authority. Herod is threatened and fearful because he thought he has rid his region of power that rightly identified his evil. Herod was so evil that his own sinfulness got the better of him and caused him more heartache. The account of Jesus and the Twelve causing fear in the life of Herod hints at a power far beyond what human “power” possess independently of God’s Spirit. John is executed by a political tyrant who fears him but vacillates and finally succumbs to social pressure. Humanity likes to be in control of its own destiny, but when faced with the right order of God’s created world, humanity sometimes settles for lesser power than the original power.
We have a value at Generations Church that helps us understand our partnership with God in the world called Send over Stay: Embodying Jesus by joining God’s work in Vancouver, the west, and the world through mobilizing and releasing disciples.
Jesus was sending his disciples into the world so that others could see how humanity was originally supposed to operate.
How do we embody Jesus in the world today?
- Do what you know Jesus instructs. In Mark, 6:30, the disciples reported all that they had done because they did exactly what they knew he commanded. Sometimes we can get caught up in the weeds on how different Bible passages should be applied. First, do what is clear by listening to Jesus wherever you find yourself.
- Have someone to do it with. Jesus sent the disciples out in pairs. They had the power to do it alone, but having a community (another person) provides accountability and tangible support in following Jesus.
- When confronted with sin (like Herod), do not justify it. Instead, choose another course of action.
- Understand different responses. Expect some to be healed and become free. Expect others to reject.
- Return to Jesus. The disciples lived out the mission they were sent on. They saw amazing things happen. However, they didn’t rely on themselves. They returned to Jesus.
If we get our information from the biblical material, there is no doubt that the Christian life is a dancing, leaping, daring life. — Eugene Peterson