Sticks, Sandals and the Spirit of God—Lessons from a Journey of Faith
“And he called his twelve disciples together and began sending them out two by two, giving them authority to cast out evil spirits. He told them to take nothing for their journey except a walking stick—no food, no traveler’s bag, no money. He allowed them to wear sandals but not to take a change of clothes. “Wherever you go,” he said, “stay in the same house until you leave town. But if any place refuses to welcome you or listen to you, shake its dust from your feet as you leave to show that you have abandoned those people to their fate. So the disciples went out, telling everyone they met to repent of their sins and turn to God. And they cast out many demons and healed many sick people, anointing them with olive oil.” (Mark 6:7-13, ESV)
I can’t recall a single journey where all I took with me was the Spirit of the Lord, some sandals and a stick. Every time I manage to make a trip without checking a bag, I feel a little boost of ego—at the expense of a carry-on that is busting at the seams, of course. I like to think I travel lightly, but after sitting with the way that Jesus sent the twelve, not only do I feel a little more insecure about my packing habits, I also feel challenged in my trust that God will and can show up in times when I feel ill-equipped.
Imagine the kind of faith it took for the disciples to be sent with sandals, sticks, someone to journey with and the authority of God. Jesus didn’t give them a travel agent with an itinerary; they didn’t book any hotels or get restaurant reservations. They were sent with little, and they were expected to trust that God would make a way. There is a striking contrast between the way we perceive what it looks like to be equipped to partner with Christ and how Jesus invited His people to join Him in this passage. Before setting foot on that kind of journey, there is so much pressure to have approximately 3-5 years of church experience, a bachelor’s in theology and at least 2 personal and pastoral references (according to my journey in ministry). If my ministry team would have approached me before I met all of that criteria, I would have had no confidence, no courage and clearly no chance. It’s difficult for me to imagine being sent by Jesus with my sandals, a stick and someone to journey with under the authority of God, and to still have enough trust to say yes.
As I read this passage, part of me was wondering, “What on earth was Jesus doing?” Quickly after I asked this, the Lord gently asked me to consider something deeper about what He is doing on His earth. Jesus, though in the world, is not bound by the world’s criteria or curriculum. Jesus came to restore the earth and redeem His people. Knowing that Jesus is all about building His kingdom here, it made me wonder if Jesus could have been teaching His disciples something that I have just barely started to understand myself. Jesus sent the disciples to be His hands and feet by offering the kingdom of God to others, but because of the way that Jesus sent them, it would require the disciples to also experience receiving it from others. In their journey, they would have depended on the people around them to actually be the kingdom of God—people who serve the needs of others, who prepare a place for others, who extend the care and compassion of God to the friend and the stranger all because of the same love that sent the disciples.
To know that the disciples departed with nothing but the power of the Lord is inspiring. To consider that they were sent to spread the Gospel in a way that demanded they receive the fruit of its power is an incredible journey that teaches humility, trust and faith. How much greater would the disciples offer the love of Christ if they too depended on receiving that same love? While I am an unashamed academic who values education, there is something irreplaceable about learning to offer and receive the kingdom of God while on mission for the Lord. This kind of humility, trust and faith cannot be learned by reading textbooks or passing tests. The Lord created us as experiential, emotional beings who need to learn about the kingdom of God by participating in it and being willing to trust it, believe in it and receive it.
Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. (Philippians 2:1-4)
In all reality, the disciples on their journey were depending on God to show up through His people. They needed each community to be doers of the word—to value others above themselves, to care for their interest, to share in love and to press into the unity we find in Christ.
As I’ve spent time sitting with the story of Jesus’ sending out the disciples, I feel a sense of urgency to take seriously not only the humility, trust and faith of the disciples but also the compassion, awareness and hospitality of the countless communities that received them along the way. I pray that you and I, in whatever our ministry may be, will be ready to respond with the trust of the disciples on the journey, and to show up with the compassion of the disciple who invites the stranger to become a friend. I pray that we share in a faith that believes God will show up in His people so that we may continue to offer and receive the power and love of His kingdom. Our God is a God who makes a way. It’s beautiful to me to better understand the partnership and harmony that comes with following Jesus. It’s even more beautiful to me that we are invited to see our community as people in whom and through whom God desires to work as He advances His kingdom among us. May we keep taking steps of faith together as people who trust in the miraculous and mysterious ways of our Lord, and celebrate His kingdom come!
