Cloth on a mission

Missionaries...they are a courageous bunch. Jesus sent out His own little band of missionaries on a short term mission. He told them to go out with nothing except...”a mere staff-no bread, no bag (knapsack or beggar's bag), no money in their belt- but to wear sandals; and He added,”Do not put on two tunics (or inner garments).”” They were not supposed to even take a change of underwear! Now that is living on faith!

So what is Jesus up to? Mind you that this was for a short period of time, and it was a test of the places that they went more so than the people He was sending. They were going to people that knew Jesus's reputation. They knew what His disciples stood for. It would be akin to sending Billy Graham's Crusade staff to a big city and seeing who would be willing to put them up in a hotel or homes, feed and clothes them, and make provision for them while they prepared for the main event and until it was over. Would they identify with the ministry or reject it? Would they show hospitality and participate in the ministry by taking on these responsibilities so the staff could invest their time and energy on the mission to that town. It says that even Herod was aware of what Jesus was doing and the effect that it was having on the country. So this was not a mission trip to the far reaches, but a sign of who accepted and rejected the working of Christ in their midst. It did make the missionaries test their faith and it says they were so busy that they didn't even have time to eat! And when they reported back to Jesus, they were amazed at the things that God had enabled them to do...and that is how it will be if we are living for God. He will amaze us. Then He called them away for a time of rest and restoration.

So the things that they were to leave behind...if you are on a mission that HE has ordained.

No beggars bag or knapsack...a piece of cloth used like a suitcase to carry spare clothes or to lay out on the ground to be used for begging if you were lame or blind...

• Take no extra clothes...let God provide them. It doesn't say how long the trip was, but once we know how long, that is what we pack for. We feel like when we are out of clean clothes that we are close to done with the trip. Or we worry ahead of time about what we will need...they didn't need to plan or worry about unimportant things like how much to pack...and He didn't limit their mission by what they would pack. He would continue to provide until they were done on His terms.
• Don't beg for what you need...God has promised to meet your need. The people of the church are to respond to God's prompting to give you what you need, and not rely on random strangers.

No money in their belt...I don't know what a money belt looked like, but the money was in coin, so I imagine cloth tied around their tunics with the coins knotted in place so they would not fall out or be easily stolen. Or notches in leather. Most times we think of money bags tied with rope, and that may have been worn around their waist as well.

• Don't take your money nor put faith in it.
• Again, do not limit your mission according to the amount of money you have
• Do not hold your money tightly or too close to your heart.
• Do not let it have a grip on you.
• Look to God to provide for your needs...not your wants.
• Christians are called to meet the needs of those who are spreading the gospel.
• Money does not meet needs, people do.
• Money doesn't hold you together.
• When we worry about money, we will guard it instead of use it.

Wear sandals...

-Keep on the move, especially when the gospel goes unheeded.

-These are working shoes...go to work.

-Dirty feet are beautiful feet if they spread the gospel.

-Those who wash your feet will show themselves servants of God.

-You can let God know when people are rejecting Him and walk away uncontaminated.

Do not take 2 tunics - (some say undergarments, some say coats)

-Don't try to protect yourself...let God do it

-Even your most intimate needs will be met

-One of anything is enough

-Change is not important...clean up and go on

-Whatever God clothes you in...it will be enough for the gospel to be heard...it doesn't have to be taylored for various settings

The other thing He told them was to accept from those who would give...stay in one home and accept their hospitality. Don't be afraid to bless people with the opportunity to serve God by serving you. You don't need to hop around seeking what God wants to provide you.

Are you on a mission sent by Jesus? Paul was, and was content when he had a little or a lot, for he knew God would provide, sometimes in cloth.