10:2 - Take Nothing
“He summoned the Twelve and began to send them out in pairs and gave them authority over unclean spirits. He instructed them to take nothing for the road except a staff - no bread, no traveling bag, no money in their belts, but to wear sandals and not put on an extra shirt.”
- Mark 6:7-9
“Take nothing for the road…” It’s an incredible command that Jesus gives his disciples. They’ve only been following Him a short time, and they were given an incredible task - preach repentance and drive out demons. How were they supposed to do that? Jesus gave them authority. Their job was simply to have faith - to believe that Jesus really did give them authority over demons (v. 7). He sends them out with the same articles of clothing the Israelites wore when fleeing Egypt in the Exodus (see Exodus 12), a belt, a tunic, sandals, and a staff. They simply had to believe God and act.
The central characteristic of following Jesus is dependence on Him. That’s the point. That’s why we are instructed to “take nothing”.
Sharing our faith can be scary. We don’t think we know enough. We’re not trained enough. What if they ask questions we can’t answer? What if they get angry? What if the friendship ends? The answer? Take nothing.
When Jesus has given you authority, a commission, and a command, you just have to go. You don’t need more than what you have, and you don’t need more than who you are. We have been sent. Us. And we don’t need more than Jesus and what He’s done for us. Depend on Him, and go with Him.