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So they went out and proclaimed that people should repent. And they cast out many demons and anointed with oil many who were sick and healed them.

Mark 6:12–13, ESV

Before sending out the twelve apostles two by two, Jesus prepared them for rejection. This is the reality of our faith: there will be those who reject the Christian message of hope. The Gospel is ours to proclaim, but who is saved is not ours to decide. As the apostles were out, it is certain that some rejected them, just as they had rejected Jesus. However, when they returned, it wasn’t the stories of rejection they shared; it was the stories of the great miracles they had witnessed. When we go out to purely proclaim the Gospel, we don’t carry the rejection with us. We wipe the dust off our feet and move on. It isn’t our judgment to give, nor is it our concern; we are to proclaim the truth of the Gospel and celebrate all who hear it and the great healing that occurs because of it. We proclaim it where we find ourselves and leave the promises with the people. We bring the message of hope and pray that all who hear it are led into Christ’s peace.

Let us pray. I thank you, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, your dear Son, that you have kept me this night from all harm and danger, and I ask you to protect me this day also from sin and every evil, that in all I do today, I may please you. For into your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all that is mine. Let your holy angel watch over me, that the wicked foe have no power over me. Amen.