Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every single day.

And a big shout-out today to Jeffrey Brewer from Festus, MO. William, thank you for being a part of this movement through Project23. You are making a difference. This one’s for you.

Today, we’re looking at Mark 3:13-19:

And he went up on the mountain and called to him those whom he desired, and they came to him. And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach and have authority to cast out demons. He appointed the twelve: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter); James the son of Zebedee and John the brother of James (to whom he gave the name Boanerges, that is, Sons of Thunder); Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him. — Mark 3:13-19

Jesus went up a mountain, away from the crowds, and called a group of disciples to himself. Not to witness his miracles—but to be with him. That’s where all true Christian mission begins: with presence, not performance. After all, Christian mission has Christ in the name.

Jesus calls them in before he sends them out. Don't miss that basis. Before they ever preached a sermon or cast out a demon. Before they healed. Before they traveled. Before they led. Before they were sent. Jesus called them in to be with him.

It’s easy to miss that in a world that celebrates productivity. We often think God is most pleased when we’re doing something for him. But Jesus modeled that relationship with him always comes before responsibility for him. We must experience his transformation from within to accomplish his duty without.

Jesus’s mission always starts with this: sit with him—then step out for him. Our mission is rooted in presence, not performance.
It’s about being formed by the one we follow—not just doing ministry in his name, or worse, doing it in our own strength and slapping his name on top.

For example, consider the men mentioned in this text today. They were ordinary disciples, like you and me. There was nothing extraordinary about them. Except for the fact that they had been with Jesus and he empowered them to extraordinary things because of him. They were not impressive men. Not one of them. But they did extraordinary things.

Take John Mark, for example. There was nothing extraordinary about him. He bailed on Paul, and then Paul refused to take him on another mission trip. In this Gospel, he writes down the story of Jesus told by Peter, who was very impulsive and even denied Jesus. Today, we hold an extraordinary book in our hands because men like the ones listed here have been with Jesus.

Today, focus more on being with Jesus than doing for him. Let that time fuel the work he wants to do with you—and through you—tomorrow.

ASK THIS:

1. How has your busyness overshadowed your time with Jesus?
2. What keeps you from simply being with Jesus before serving?
3. In what ways do you rely on your strength instead of his?
4. Who are you seeking to impress—Jesus or others—and why?

DO THIS:

Sit quietly with Jesus for ten minutes today before doing any task for him.

PRAY THIS:

Lord Jesus, thank you for calling me into your presence before sending me out. Help me rest in your nearness so I can serve from your strength. Amen.

PLAY THIS:

Abide.