Take nothing for your journey

 "Take nothing for the road, neither a staff, not a wallet"

Jesus continually surprised his disciples. He gave them “power and authority to drive out all demons and cure diseases, and he sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick” (Luke 9:1-2).  

Imagine how the Twelve responded: were they excited, or a little fearful?

Even more surprising were his next words,  “Take nothing for the road, neither a staff, nor a wallet, nor bread nor money, nor two tunics” (Luke 9:3 Barclay).

Here Jesus invites his first followers to join him on mission.

Just go, don’t wait to pack or make special preparations. Did the disciples hesitate? Did anyone grumble? How would you respond?

Jesus adds still more unusual directions: “Whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave that town” (Luke 9:4).

“If anyone won’t receive you, go out of that town and wipe the dust off your feet as evidence against them” (Luke 9:5 Wright).

Immediately Luke summarizes the results “So they set out and went from village to village, preaching the gospel and healing people everywhere” (Luke 9:6).

As N.T. Wright comments, Jesus “was beginning to share his vocation with them. They needed to learn to do what he was doing, to trust God like he trusted God.”

Jesus still invites his followers to join him on mission today.

Are we ready to build relationships with our neighbors? Are we prepared to share the good news of the gospel where we live and work? Will we pray faithfully for sick family members and friends?

We are commissioned by Jesus just as the Twelve were in Luke 9. 

Let’s go.