Taking Nothing

When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases,  and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.  He told them: “Take nothing for the journey—no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra shirt.  Whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave that town. If people do not welcome you, leave their town and shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.”  So they set out and went from village to village, proclaiming the good news and healing people everywhere.   Luke 9: 1-6


Don't most of us, before we leave the house, check and make sure we have every provision with us.  Wallet(cash, cards, ID), tissues,  chap stick, lipstick, makeup, tide pen, band aids, hand sanitizer, etc etc.
If you have children the list increases exponentially! We MUST be prepared!

And not just us women! I know men who have their "man purses" Oh, they tell me "IT is NOT a purse!" I ask..."does it carry anything you could need in most any situation?" then it is a purse!
Just because it is in backpack form doesn't mean it isn't a purse! 😉

I jest..but don't almost all of us like to be prepared.  We are supposed to have ID and our license if we are driving.  What kind of parent would go somewhere with out provision for their little ones (diapers, wipes..snacks ..extra clothes, extra pacifiers!😉)
But in the verses in Luke Christ TELLS His disciples to take NOTHING.  no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra shirt
That rules out everything!  No aid for the travel...the paths/roads were sometimes rough, dangerous terrain, and they would walk many miles to get from town to town. Their staff provided aid in walking, protection against wild animals, and support when weary.
No bag...NO MAN PURSE to hold those important needed items!  No bread, no sustenance to keep their strength up.  No money, no financial way of securing food, shelter or any other provisions they might need.
No extra shirt, meaning no clean clothes to change into when they would arrive at a new town dusty, dirty, and stinky to share the gospel!

What would they have then!!????!
They would have God's provision!
When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases,  and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.   
HE called them,
HE gave them Power and Authority! 
HE sent them!
IF Christ did all that, HE would provide for their every need!

It wasn't about the trip, the roads, any of that....it was about what CHRIST was going to do!
We may think we "need" all kinds of resources before we can go and tell someone about Christ, but all we need is our humbled, repentant, redeemed hearts! We don't need theology degrees, shelves full of bible studies, E-book commentaries, our big purses or man-purses!.  We need our hearts surrendered to Christ, willing to be obedient!

In the gospels Jesus said 21 times (according to my count)  "follow-me"!

Will you today?! Follow HIM?!  Even if you don't have any earthly resources!  HE will provide ALL you need as you work for His glory!

And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19

Another thought that occurred to me as I read this was......"Don't take any baggage"!

We all have baggage... past experiences;hurtful, disappointing, unfulfilling, poor choices....that might influence and hinder our witness to others...

leave it behind!  

 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 2 Corinthians 5:17

ALL that is gone!  You move forward in Christ a new person!

Start your journey right now, drop all the baggage and go!

O God, You Are My God ( Step By Step) Michael W Smith