Learning Faith

Summoning the Twelve, He gave them power and authority over all demons, and power to heal diseases. Then He sent them to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.
"Take nothing for the road", He told them, "no walking stick, no travelling bag, no bread, no money; and don't take an extra shirt. Whatever house you enter, stay there and leave from there. If they do not welcome you there, when you leave town shake off the dust from your feet as a testimony against them." So they went out and travelled from village to village, proclaiming the good news and healing everywhere. Luke 9:1-6

At last it was the disciples turn. They had travelled wih Jesus and watched how he operated. We could safely say He started the same way, we know He now had a contingent of women travelling with Him, providing for His needs. This would be a challenge to the disciples faith. It had nothing to do with their own ability to provide, only God's. They would also learn a lesson in people management.

I imagine not taking an extra shirt would be interesting, they would begin to smell after a while. They would be totally reliant on those they stayed with for another shirt. Just out of interest, I wonder if they left their old shirts with the giver of the new shirts? That would have been an interesting recycling project. I can just see the disciples arriving at a house and checking out the size of the man in the house, imagine a tall disciple and a little man swapping shirts. (Ok I digress!)

The greatest joy would be seeing people set free from oppression and sickness. The best, the very best experience I know is seeing someone coming to Christ, having a God encounter. Awesome!

What a good learning curve for the disciples. Learning faith is so important. Amen!






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