Luke 9:1-6

     As Chapter nine begins, we see the ministry of Jesus being expanded through the twelve disciples. He called them together and gave them authority to cure diseases and cast out demons and said he was sending them out to preach the kingdom of God and to cure diseases. He told them to bring no luggage with them. They should bring no staff or bag, bread or extra clothing, no money even. If they entered a house, they should stay there and not seek another. If they are not received in an area, they should shake off the dust and move on. So the disciples went out and did what he sent them to do.
     It is clear that Jesus conceived a practical ministry. His disciples were sent not just to preach, but also to heal. It has sometimes been a conversation in the church to determine whether “Mission” should include practical help to an area or should it only proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ. Many Christian groups faithfully interpret their mission in either direction. Some restrict their efforts to pure evangelism. Others expand their efforts to hospitals, schools and other practical help. Denominations such as the United Methodist Church tend in this direction and have multiple practical ministries throughout the world. Its United Methodist Committee on Relief, for example, has an excellent reputation for its work. Yet the church has in the last decade recognized its need to be more intentional in the making of disciples. For many years its membership vows included the promise to support the church through prayers, presence, gifts and service. In 2008, its vows were amended to include supporting the church through witness.
     The United Methodists have not abandoned its practical ministries, although it recognizes the need of 200 million people in the United States alone who have no active church or faith life. Spiritual need is real and practical as well.
      Few Christians of any sort have had the nerve to do what Jesus called the twelve to do—set out with only the clothing they are wearing. No money, or extra shirt, no food or resources of any kind. And it is impossible to know even whether Jesus would recommend such a thing in a different day and age. Of course, the twelve did not go out with no resources—they went with the empowerment of Jesus upon them.
      Why was it important for the twelve to go into their ministry without physical resources? We can only speculate, because Jesus did not explain, or if he did, it wasn’t reported. But it seems likely that they needed to learn trust. In this early stage, if they sought the support of anything except the absolute power of God they might fail. Most were humble working men. They loved God, but were not accustomed to the power of God working through them. They needed to learn to trust God and in themselves as ones called by Jesus for this work. Yet this carries a lesson for the Christians of today as well. Are there any resources individuals or churches look for rather than the power of God? Individuals or churches may struggle, thinking ‘if only we had this much money or more people or some other favorable circumstance, then we could accomplish great things.’ Is that the question or concern we should be raising?
     Jesus further advised the disciples to stay in the place where they entered. This is usually understood as saying that they should stay in the home where they were first welcomed and not try to find someplace larger or more comfortable if it was offered. This could relate to the discussion about taking resources. It would be easy to wander from place to place, always looking for the more favorable or comfortable spot. ‘Maybe the ministry would yield more over there…” To do that might mean nothing would be accomplished, nothing firmly established. It is true that individuals and churches may, after an honest effort, make a determination that a particular area of ministry is not the place where they are called anymore. It is also true that dogged effort in places of little discernible results have sometimes done amazing things. It is not, and should not be an easily made decision, but should be made through prayer and seeking God’s guidance.
      Jesus offered a final piece of advice. If his disciples went to a place where they were rejected, they should shake the dust off their feet and move on. Again, we might raise the question of whether this was intended as advice for all situations, particularly in today’s world where so many people are simply uninterested in Christianity or even hostile to it. Do we give up and go back to our church buildings where fewer and fewer people find their way to us? Or do we witness in a world where we are sometimes rejected but still seek to cast some seeds that might take root and grow even in unlikely spots? The early Christians certainly didn’t follow that advice to move on—or so many of them wouldn’t have been martyred…and the church wouldn’t have grown so much. At the same time, when Jesus sent out the twelve it was a time of urgency—get as much done as possible in a short period of time, as well as a learning experience for the disciples.
      In other circumstances, it can be wise to shake off the dust. It is smart psychologically to leave behind the baggage of rejection. It certainly won’t help us succeed in the future.

What baggage of the past do you need to shake off so you can move into a better future?
What baggage are you carrying that interferes with trusting God?
In what ways can you witness and share news of God’s kingdom?