Take nothing for your journey ...

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And he called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal. And he said to them, “Take nothing for your journey, no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money; and do not have two tunics. And whatever house you enter, stay there, and from there depart. And wherever they do not receive you, when you leave that town shake off the dust from your feet as a testimony against them.” And they departed and went through the villages, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere.

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What kind of image do you see in the commissioning of the twelve disciples? Can you see the Lord calling each one to him and laying his hand on their head? Or maybe they were gathered in a private room where he spoke to them as a group? I wonder what was going on in their heads as Jesus told them that soon they too would be healing the sick and casting out demons? And I wonder why the Lord instructed them to take nothing for their journey?

I think that the disciples must have been so changed by this experience. To now be doing what they have seen Christ doing must have been a surreal experience. I wonder how people reacted to them and their request for hospitality? How much dust was shaken and how many people were touched? How their faith must have soared during their travels! The adventure of such a mission seems so exhilarating! Wouldn't you have liked to be with them on this journey?

Open up my eyes Lord to the way that I can be on this kind of journey today.

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