Would You Go If Jesus Asked You To?

If Jesus sent me out today, in the same way and with the same instructions that He gave His disciples, I wonder, would I go?

Jesus gathered His twelve disciples and imparted to them His authority to cast out demons. Then He sent them out in pairs with these instructions: “Take only your staff and the sandals on your feet—no bread, no knapsack, no extra garment, and no money. And whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave the area. Whatever community does not welcome you or receive your message, leave it behind. And as you go, shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.” So, they went out and preached publicly that everyone should repent. They cast out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them.
Mark 6:7‭-‬13 TPT‬

I can only imagine the questions I would have for Jesus, and His reply to each one of them.

But what shall I eat? Do not worry about what you shall eat.
But what shall I wear? Do not worry about what you shall wear.
Where will I sleep? What if I get kidnapped?
I’m scared. I don’t know anyone there.
What will I say? I don’t have a public speaking background. What if they think I’m weird?

All of this to say, I have even greater respect for the disciples of Jesus. There is no record of them questioning Jesus like I would. They went exactly how He told them to go, where He told them to go and did what He told them to do. It is no wonder they got the results He told them they would get, because they followed His instructions explicitly.

So, they went out and preached publicly that everyone should repent. They cast out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them.
Mark 6:12‭-‬13 TPT‬

It is amazing what we can be and the amazing things we can do when we accept the instructions of Jesus with simplicity and follow His directives just as they are, no questions asked. With trust and confidence in the One giving them to us. That He is the Almighty, the All Knowing, the Alpha and Omega, the Creator God who is in charge and in control of everything, everyone and every outcome.

It takes knowing God to trust Him. The more we know Jesus, the more we trust Him completely and fully. In case you are wondering how to get to know a man that lived over 2,000 years ago, we get to know Him in His Word; the Bible. Would you spend time with Jesus today? Get closer to Him by reading the Word of God today and as you read and meditate, have a chat with your loving Savior through prayer. Speak to Him, then be still, listen and let Him speak to you as well. And whatever He says to you, do it. John.2:5.

I can relate with the fact that He sent them to new areas most likely into communities where they knew no one. Kindness and a warm welcome would definitely go a long way in making their stay more comfortable and their ministry more effective. Jesus even mentioned it to them before they left, instructing His disciples not to bother with communities that did not welcome them or listen to their message of good news. We know that those places missed out a lot. Their sick did not get healed, the demon possessed did not receive deliverance and most importantly, the message of salvation through faith in Jesus did not get preached there.

This got me thinking, how do I treat new people who come into my life and sphere of influence? How do I respond to that new couple in Church? The new family in the Homeschool community, the new recruit at work and the new neighbors that just moved in next door. They may not be the 12 disciples of Jesus, but they are people created in the image of God. As a follower of Jesus, is the love of God reflected in how I treat people? Am I welcoming and kind? Do I make the effort to extend grace and the arm of friendship to people who are feeling anxious and maybe even overwhelmed because they are new to a community? Kindness goes such a long way in helping new people settle in. Even just a hello and you are welcome with a smile will change a person’s life for the better.

I have heard testimonies from people who have been led to Christ because of the love they were shown by others when they least expected it. It was not insistent preaching and shoving of the Bible down their throats, but genuine care and love that was extended to them, then finding out that the reason behind the care and love shown was Jesus. That is what led them to Jesus as their Lord and Savior. The unselfish, genuine, sincere love that people showed to them.

By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you have love and unselfish concern for one another.” John 13:35.