Entrusting the Mission to Others

The Gospel situation

By the time Jesus sends the twelve out in pairs, they have spent significant time watching Him teach, heal, confront opposition and respond to crowds. Their formation has happened largely by being near Him.

Mark 6 changes that pattern. Jesus “called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits” (Mark 6:7). He is no longer only showing them what the mission looks like; He is asking them to carry it.

What Jesus did

He calls them, sends them, and entrusts them with authority. He sends them two by two rather than alone. Mark does not explain every reason for this, but the mission is clearly not organized around isolated individuals.

He limits what they take — no bread, no bag, no money (Mark 6:8–9) — and prepares them for rejection as well as welcome (Mark 6:10–11). The disciples go out, preach, cast out demons and heal the sick (Mark 6:12–13).

Afterward, the apostles return and report what they had done and taught (Mark 6:30). Their time in the field does not end their formation; it becomes part of it.

What was at stake

“I will make you” implies development. Jesus did not simply recruit people to complete tasks; He formed people who could eventually carry the mission. And He did not wait for them to be flawless — later chapters show they are still capable of misunderstanding, ambition and fear.

Delegating too early can expose a mission to unnecessary risk; delegating too late can keep others from ever becoming capable. Delegation is not abandonment — the disciples return and report. But a leader who cannot release responsibility may become the mission’s main limitation.

The progression

1. Follow

   Matthew 4:19
   →
2. Form

   Watching, teaching, correction
   →
3. Send

   Mark 6:7–13
   →
4. Receive

   Mark 6:30
   →
5. Develop

   Formation continues