NOTHING FOR THE JOURNEY

The instruction to the Twelve before departing on their mission was ‘to take nothing for the journey, neither bread bag or money nor begging sack; no second coat, no second pair of sandals; to teach without reward and heal without pay. These directives were given to demonstrate their divine helplessness.

We are stronger in weakness because ‘the weakness of God is stronger than men’ (1 Corinthians 1:25). The word made known by force does not bring Christ it only brings force. It still leaves us vulnerable in many ways because somehow we are many times convinced there are other ways besides Holy Spirit empowerment. To the degree we lean on methods, books, meetings, revivals, church buildings, choirs, professional clergy, and religious trappings to ‘promote the gospel,’ without feeling personal responsibility is to the degree we take another coat, a second pair of sandals, a sack full of money and extra bread. The message of the good news must come from people who in weakness have received that message and then can give it in weakness. It is never left to the religious machine to stamp and pump out the good news. It is incapable of such.

“Then he sent them out to tell everyone about the Kingdom of God and to heal the sick. “Take nothing for your journey,” he instructed them. “Don’t take a walking stick, a traveler’s bag, food, money, or even a change of clothes. Wherever you go, stay in the same house until you leave town.” Jesus