We are packing for a trip to Kansas. Trying to remember everything to take. We have our checklists but there is a lot of uncertainties. Will it be hot and sunny, cool and rainy? Will we need nice clothes or just vacation clothes. What about eating on the trip? We are both trying to diet, I guess that means taking the cooler and packing lunch so we avoid the quick fast food stop on the interstate. Plus packing isn’t the only thing on our minds. What will the drive be like? It is still summer and there will most likely be highway construction and other obstacles. Who all will we get a chance to see? When we overthink all of this we wonder if we should just stay home. I recall reading about another group of travelers that will given specific instructions about their trip.
“And he called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. He charged 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 put on two tunics. And he said to them, “Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you depart from there. And if any place will not receive you and they will not listen to you, when you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them.” So they went out and proclaimed that people should repent.” Mark 6:7-12
Just the two disciples walking side by side. Nothing earthly to take except the sandals on their feet and one tunic. There mission to tell about Jesus everywhere they went. They had to put aside all their concerns, all there checklists and depend wholly on the Grace of God to provide their needs and keep them safe. Even if they were not welcomed they had His instructions on the actions they should take, but their journey was not to stop. They were to continue on.
We are not told who went where, what directions they were told to take or how long they were to travel. We are what happened at the end of their travel.
“The apostles returned to Jesus and told him all that they had done and taught. And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. And they went away in the boat to a desolate place by themselves.” Mark 6:30-32
He knew that they would need sustenance and rest after there journeys. Just like us, we go on trips and at the end we feel more exhausted than we were before we left. In the case of Jesus and the disciples this turned out to be a short rest, they were recognized and the crowds followed them. The disciples quickly forgot about their journey for the crowds were great.
“And when it grew late, his disciples came to him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the hour is now late. Send them away to go into the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.” But he answered them, “You give them something to eat.” And they said to him, “Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give it to them to eat?” And he said to them, “How many loaves do you have? Go and see.” And when they had found out, they said, “Five, and two fish.”” Mark 6:35-38
Even after their journey and knowing that God had provided for all their needs, they still did not have a complete grasp. That is how we are in our travel through life. We plan, we make lists, we say I will do this or I will do that. Yet, we forget to carry with us the best provisions that are available to us. Faith in Jesus Christ to care for us in our journey.
As we complete our “packing of necessities” for our trip to Kansas, we need to set aside to invite Jesus on our trip. Trusting Him to provide, heal, feed and give us rest.
Lord Jesus, while I yet travel through life, preserve me in the faith that claimed me as a child of Your heavenly household, until that time You would receive me into my heavenly home. Amen.
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