Sent Ones

It's not a pretty arrangement up front, on the chancel steps. In fact, I had to argue against a beautiful altar display for this more rugged image of an old rug, sandals, staff and tunic. The backdrop is beautiful: the table laden with communion trays and the tall Christ Candle, shining brightly.
The text for January 7th, the first Sunday after Epiphany is Mark 6:6ff where Jesus sends the disciples out in pairs with the Gospel. What is it they need to take along to do the job: a degree, a library, props, financial resources? No, Jesus said, "take nothing....but a staff, sandals and one tunic" along with Jesus's conferred "authority" over all evil spirits.
The two points in the sermon for Sunday will be: What do we need to to the discipleship job we have before us? How much more stuff do we think we need to be effective disciples? For some of us what we have is never enough: more books, seminars, classes, and degrees. Jesus cuts through our need for stuff with his word to take nothing along but his authority.
The second point in the day revolves around the whole notion of "sending." Who gets sent anywhere these days: military, police, fire, diplomats. But how about Christians? When was the last time anyone "sent" you? We really don't like being "sent". Instead we like to volunteer, be asked, consider and choose. Those are not strong concepts when it comes to Jesus. Jesus as Lord (not spiritual mentor or consultant) sends us where he chooses. Yikes!