Anchor My Faith

Travel Instructions

Scripture: Matthew 10:9-11; Mark 6:8

In the previous lesson we covered five details related to the disciples going on their first mission trip. In this lesson we will cover more instruction Jesus gives to his disciples. ^{Mk 6:8} “He charged them to take nothing for their journey except a staff. ^{Mt 10:9} Acquire no gold or silver or copper for your belts, ¹⁰ no bag for your journey, or two tunics or sandals or a staff, for the laborer deserves his food.”

Jesus “charged them” conveys a sense of urgency and then what he says seems to reflect the instructions given at the time of the exodus: ^{Ex 12:11} “In this manner you shall eat it: with your belt fastened, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand. And you shall eat it in haste. It is the Lord’s Passover.”

Jesus charges them to take nothing for their journey except a staff. Taking only a staff was a sign of peace; they were defenselessness, trusting in God for protection and provision. They were not to take any means of buying things along the way, like food, but were to rely on God providing through others. The mention of taking no bag, or a second tunic allows them to travel light and sets them apart from others as humble servants of God.

The things they are not to take with them represent that which secures life. These provisions are to come from the people they minister to along the way. It is to come from people who repent upon hearing the disciples’ message. They are not going out as beggars, but as ministers of the gospel and for that service God will provide for them.

If you were to look at how this narrative was formed, you would find a discrepancy between the writers about the staff, sandals and tunics. Interpreters have proposed various solutions in an attempt to overcome the differences. It is clear that the authors were emphasizing different things that are not clear to us.

Jesus now gives instruction about what they are to do when they arrive at a town or village. ^{Mt 10:11} “And whatever town or village you enter, find out who is worthy in it and stay there until you depart.” Once the pair of two disciples arrive at a town or village, they need to determine a place to stay where they will be cared for. They are to do this by sharing their message and from those who respond, select a family they see as worthy. They will stay there during their time of ministry. If no one is found worthy, then the town or village is considered unworthy and they are to move on to the next, as we will see in the next lesson.

Conclusion

I can identify with this because when I went to minister in China I took very little with me and after ministering for a period of time, a Chinese family requested that I come and live with them during the time I served there. Over a four-year period, I had a place to sleep and was provided two meals each day to enjoy. They were so helpful and such an encouragement to me. Father, thank you for bringing them into my life.