Flunking Discipleship 101-Mark 6:30-44

I find it interesting that the 12 are called Apostles at the beginning of the Feeding of the 5,000 and Disciples at the end? A disciple is one who is learning. A disciple is like an apprentice who one day will have the confidence and skill to be a Master.

An apostle, however, is one who has the authority to minister in the Master's name. An apostle is one who has learned and is now ready to use what he or she has been taught.

So why the digression from Apostle to disciple in this passage? Earlier in Mark 6, Jesus sent the 12 to solo in ministry for the first time. Jesus gave them His authority to preach, cast out demons and heal the sick. The 12 were sent 2 by 2, and they succeeded in this work. They had become Apostles. They had watched Jesus do the above and in turn, they themselves were now moving in the authority given to them by the Master.

As Joyce Meyer says, "New level, new devil." The disciples were now faced with a different ministry involving human need and hunger. It was late. They were in a barren place and there were 5,000 + people. You can tell if you are a disciple or an apostle in any given situation by how you respond to the need. The 12 responded to the needs of the 1,000's with soulishness: with their minds, their wills, and their emotions. Apostles respond in Faith and the authority given to them.

The disciples said send the crowd away and let them save themselves. This has always been fallen man's solution to any problem. The disciples would do it again later when mothers brought their children to be blessed by Jesus. What was the response? "Send them away." When the woman came and anointed Jesus feet with costly perfume the response was, "Send her away."

That is discipleship. When we are still learning when we respond like that. Apostleship, however, was modeled by the Master. We can be apostles in some areas and disciples in others. Ask the Lord to show you in each ministry situation or crisis or blessing if you are, in that setting, a disciple (still learning) or if you are becoming an apostle (taking up His authority on His behalf).