The Rhythm of Service

1. Apostles are sent out in mission.

This is a rare use of the word Apostle. Mark does not usually use that word, and yet his use of it tells us a lot about what it means to represent Christ. There is a rhythm to Christian discipleship. These verse reveal a rhythm which is often overlooked. It teaches us a lot about priorities, resting versus rushing, about status verses function, about Jesus being at the heart of all we do.

Mark 6:30 The apostles returned to Jesus. Where from? Where had they been? Earlier in Mark 6 7 Jesus called the 12 to him and we read, “He called for the 12 and sent them out in pairs”. Jesus gave them authorty over demons and tolds them to go with the minimum of luggae,. VERSE 8 “HE INSTRUCTED THEM THE TAKE NOTHING FOR THE JOURNEY EXCEPT A WALKING STICK”.

2. Apostles do what they are sent out to do.

Mark doesn’t go into details about what the apostles did. He does say in verse 30 they “told him (Jesus) everything they had done and taught”.

Their only significance was in representing Jesus. They went out with His authority. They did what he had told them to do. Then they returned to Jesus and reported back to Him. They were accountable to Jesus. Just as we produce an annual report so they presented their report to Jesus, as sooner or later we will all have to present the report of our lives to Jesus.

3. Apostles Spend time with Jesus

Leisure by W. H. Davies

I love the short poem by W. H. DAVIES poem could not be more pertinent to the world of today if it tried. It counsels us to take the time to “stand and stare” or, in other words, to slow down and observe all the beauty that surrounds you. “Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10)

Davies adivses us not to let the world rush by without being mindful; open your eyes and see – really see – the world in all its glory. Make space in your life for this simplest act of leisure and mindfulfulness.

What is this life if, full of care, We have no time to stand and stare. No time to stand beneath the boughs And stare as long as sheep or cows. No time to see, when woods we pass, Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass. No time to see, in broad daylight, Streams full of stars, like skies at night. No time to turn at Beauty’s glance, And watch her feet, how they can dance. No time to wait till her mouth can Enrich that smile her eyes began. A poor life this if, full of care, We have no time to stand and stare.

The disciples took time to restore their inner resources. This is what Jesus taught them to do by his words & example. In Mark 6: 31 He said to them, “Come by yourselves to a secluded place and rest for a while”. Later after their solitude had been interupted by a large crowd, and Jesus had performed one of His most dramatic miracles, we read “Jesus made His disciples get in a boat and go ahead to the other side of the lake” Mk 6: 45. Then Jesus went up a mountain alone to pray.

Christians traditionally respect the 10 commandments. “Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy” is the fourth of the 10 Commandments we find in Exodus 20. On that one day in seven, the people of Israel were told to do no work. Even now, a Rabbi I know will not use a computer on the Sabbath. In God’s Law there is provision for work but also for rest, for feasting and fasting, for celebration and lament. There is a balance and a rhythm. Similarly in the Christian year we have sombre periods of reflection at Lent and Advent and times of celebration at the major festivals. There is a rhythm and a balance to our service.

Conclusion.

An old story is told of 2 lumberjacks in a contest to cut down their tree the quickest using axes and elbow grease. The one would not stop for anything. After a while he was looking exhausted, and was hitting the tree as hard as he could with the axe but progress was tediously slow. His competitor worked equally hard, but every so often he stopped for a very quick sip of water, and when he did so he took the opportunity to sharpen his axe. Each time he sharpened his axe his efforts were rewarded with faster progress, and he won the contest. Sometimes servants of Jesus too, need to stop for refreshment nd restoration and when they do they find they become even more fruitful for they learn to depend on the One who sends them out, the One to whom they return and are accountable to, the One in whose presence they delight to spend time. The One whose body was broken and whose blood was shed for their salvation, and for ours.