When Jesus was in the middle of His ministry, He actually sent out His disciples with a mission. As He sent them out, He gave them some unusual orders:
He ordered them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts; but to wear sandals and not to put on two tunics.
That seems rather odd. Jesus had sent out the disciples, two by two, giving them authority to cast out demons and heal the sick. And yet, He tells them to not pack a bag. Don’t bring a lot on the trip. It always struck me as kind of odd. Why forbid bread, bag, and money? Why only wear one tunic?
It’s simple: Jesus wants them to move! He wants them to travel light. He who travels light can travel quickly. The message that Jesus has entrusted to the disciples–“The kingdom of God is at hand”–is so vitally important that He wants them to move and move quickly. Get the word out to as many people as possible. Don’t just sit there, move!
Now I’m not saying that we have to throw out our bread, bag, and money. This isn’t a discourse on the best kind of footwear or an argument against wearing layers. Instead, I think what we should take to hear the underlying tension of Jesus’ words. We aren’t meant to sit still. God’s people are meant to move, to bear the message that the Kingdom of God has come, that it is present, here and now, in the midst of a world of darkness.
This doesn’t mean we have to go on a journey overseas. It’s interesting to note that in Matthew’s version of this story, Jesus specifically tells His disciples not to leave the territory of ancient Israel. They’re to spread this message to their fellow Jews. In other words, no need to go on an overseas mission. There are plenty of people who need to hear this message here and now, right next door. Maybe in our own homes.
So don’t just sit their, friends. Move.
[bctt tweet=”Jesus calls for His followers to Move.”]