CONNECTING POINT: Pack Light

In last week’s Connecting Point column, I raised a valid question about what authority and power Christians have today. My challenge to you as readers is to properly interpret and apply the Bible and cautiously refrain from “reading” ourselves into the text too literally. Here’s what we read in Luke 9:1-6: “When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. He told them: ‘Take nothing for the journey—no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra shirt. Whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave that town. If people do not welcome you, leave their town and shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.’ So they went from village to village, proclaiming the good news and healing people everywhere.”

There are those in Christian circles who love to emphasize that “power and authority” are identical to us as they were for the first apostles, but they completely gloss over the verses that follow. How many so-called modern-day “apostles” would set out on a journey with just the clothes on their backs? Few, if any. The modern church certainly sees its fair share of leaders who “roll” in the money, directly contrasting to Jesus and the leaders who founded our movement. Several years ago, I was flabbergasted when several well-known TV preachers defended their “need” for elaborate jets, expensive homes, and more. On the other hand, in no way am I suggesting that Christians should be poor or destitute. Living a Biblically balanced life should be our focus.

So, what are the priorities that Jesus tries to present in the text? Two principles are explained in Luke 9:1-6. One: the simple Gospel is at the very heart of Jesus and is to be shared by all Christians. Two: as Christians, we learn to depend upon God.

Allow me to start with the “Simple Gospel.” The culture surrounding Jesus at this time was completely immersed in religious tradition. Over the previous centuries, cumbersome Jewish laws metastasized, and Jesus wasn’t afraid to address the problem. “Then Jesus said to the crowds and his disciples: ‘The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. They tie up heavy, cumbersome loads and put them on other people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them,’” (Matthew 23:1-4). In this environment, Jesus challenged people, including the religious leaders, with simple concept after simple concept on the kingdom of God. We read in 1 John 3:23, “And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us.” A large stack of religious rules for salvation is unnecessary.

The second principle Jesus conveys is learning to develop a dependency upon God. Packing light for the disciples was a matter of faith and trust; God would meet their needs as they stuck to the mission of making Jesus known. Bible scholar David Guzik writes, “The disciples were engaged in such holy work (preaching the gospel and bringing God’s healing) that they could not give the impression that they have any other motive.”

Our motives reveal our priorities. Although God sees our hearts, we need to examine them continually.