Luke 10:1-11
Carry no purse, no
bag, no sandals; and greet no one on the road. (Luke 10:4)
This morning I'm getting on an airplane to attend a board meeting in Toronto.Traveling like Jesus suggests would sure make airport security checks
a breeze! I try to travel as lightly as possible, but there’s always that
moment when I’m rushing to put my shoes and belt back on while gathering up my
things that I think, “Traveling is a pain in the neck.” Now, I realize that
Jesus’ packing list (or lack thereof) is not intended to make an encounter with
the TSA easier. Instead, it’s intended to force his apostles to rely on the
hospitality and generosity of those whom they encounter. Unencumbered, they are
free and willing to accept the gifts that others have to offer.
When we’re weighed down with all of our own baggage, when
we’re distracted by things other than the person whom we encounter on the road,
relationships get stunted. There is just too much stuff going on that gets in
the way of meaningful conversation and companionship. We are unable to be fully
present with the one who is offering us a word of welcome, warm bread, and a
place to rest. To see how distraction can blind us, check out what happened to
some disciples traveling down the road to Emmaus in Luke 24:13-25. What have
you been missing as you've traveled through life weighed down by excess baggage?
Luke 10:1-11 NRSV
1 After this the Lord appointed seventy others and sent them on ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he himself intended to go.
2 He said to them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.
3 Go on your way. See, I am sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves.
4 Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals; and greet no one on the road.
5 Whatever house you enter, first say, 'Peace to this house!'
6 And if anyone is there who shares in peace, your peace will rest on that person; but if not, it will return to you.
7 Remain in the same house, eating and drinking whatever they provide, for the laborer deserves to be paid. Do not move about from house to house.
8 Whenever you enter a town and its people welcome you, eat what is set before you;
9 cure the sick who are there, and say to them, 'The kingdom of God has come near to you.'
10 But whenever you enter a town and they do not welcome you, go out into its streets and say,
11 'Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet, we wipe off in protest against you. Yet know this: the kingdom of God has come near.'
2 He said to them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.
3 Go on your way. See, I am sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves.
4 Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals; and greet no one on the road.
5 Whatever house you enter, first say, 'Peace to this house!'
6 And if anyone is there who shares in peace, your peace will rest on that person; but if not, it will return to you.
7 Remain in the same house, eating and drinking whatever they provide, for the laborer deserves to be paid. Do not move about from house to house.
8 Whenever you enter a town and its people welcome you, eat what is set before you;
9 cure the sick who are there, and say to them, 'The kingdom of God has come near to you.'
10 But whenever you enter a town and they do not welcome you, go out into its streets and say,
11 'Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet, we wipe off in protest against you. Yet know this: the kingdom of God has come near.'
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