GREAT THINGS ENTERPRISE
CLAUDE BLACK
Mark 6:30
Success
Thomas Edison’s biographers report that when Edison found a filament for his light bulb that would burn for more than a few seconds, he said, “I have not failed; I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” He worked until he succeeded.
At Central Bible College, every Friday chapel speaker was a senior ministerial student who had completed a demanding program of study. It was a capstone event: he or she had succeeded. Speakers invited their friends and family—parents whose financial help often contributed to the completing the training. If the speaker didn’t have any family members present, the faculty often congratulated the student in the cafeteria following the chapel service.
Recently, I was riding with a manufacturer, and we drove by a factory. He said the factory was his first client, his first customer. He went home rejoicing. It was the start of a successful career.
In his gospel, Mark returned to his story following the tragic report of John the Baptist’s martyrdom. Earlier, Jesus sent the twelve out in pairs to expand his ministry; it can be considered a short-term internship. “And the apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all that they had done and all that they had taught.” (6:30) This was only the second time Mark referred to the twelve as “apostles.” (cf. 3:14; only eight other times in the Gospels.) They were successful; they had much to report.
Father, may there be success in the announcement of your Kingdom.
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