Luke 9:1-6

Posted by DJL on May 30, 2013 in Daily Bread | 0 comments

Then Jesus 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. He said to them, “Take nothing for your journey, no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money—not even an extra tunic. Whatever house you enter, stay there, and leave from there. Wherever they do not welcome you, as you are leaving that town shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.” They departed and went through the villages, bringing the good news and curing diseases everywhere.

This scene depicting Jesus’ sending of the twelve offers an interesting mixture of power and dependence.

On the one hand, Jesus lends them his own power to cure and his authority over demons. And so they depart to proclaim the good news and do the same kind of miracles their teacher has been doing.

Yet notice that Jesus also charges them to take nothing with them and to rely upon the generosity of others. They will be, that is, totally dependent on those around them.

I think there is something here that is quite instructive about the Christian faith. I’m not sure yet how to name it, but perhaps it’s something like this: true power resides in dependence. That is, when you are confident of being taken care of by others, when you don’t feel the need to hoard resources or take all kinds of preventative or preparatory measures, you are really free.

Or maybe the reverse is equally true: when you have been empowered by God, you are free from worrying about everything and are strong enough to depend on others. Why? Simply because you trust that God will provide.

I don’t know that either Jesus or Luke intended this, but there is an interesting parallel between this scene and Psalm 23, where we – as Jesus’ most recent disciples – are invited to say that because the Lord is our shepherd we shall not want. Not wanting is what Jesus instructs the disciples to do here. Take nothing – nothing for the journey, nothing to eat, no extra clothes. Do not want, but instead trust that God will provide for you through the hospitality of others.

When I have read this passage in the past, I have typically focused on the first part – the tremendous power and authority to cure diseases and cast out demons that Jesus gives his disciples. But this time around, it occurs to me that his second gift – the gift of trusting dependence – may be the greater of the two.

Prayer: Dear God, help us to trust you by trusting others, and when others come to us in need, let us honor you by helping them. In Jesus’ name, Amen.