Jesus called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. He ordered them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts; but to wear sandals and not to put on two tunics. He said to them, "Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave the place. If any place will not welcome you and they refuse to hear you, as you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them." So they went out and proclaimed that all should repent. They cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.
I wonder how Jesus sent the twelve out? How much persuasion did he have to do to get them to leave the comfort of being with Him that they had come to call Lord? I wonder if they were keen, or a bit more like I would be - eager but reluctant at the same time? I'd be eager because of the potential and the implied promise of seeing good stuff happen, but reluctant because it's hard to believe this thing will work until you've done it.
In my head it happened like this...
Jesus knows the twelve disciples, he knows what each of them is like. I reckon he called them all together and called James and John out first. I think he probably talked up the challenge and the excitement, and the cool stuff that they'd get to see, and then gave the 'Sons of Thunder' the first go, knowing they would relish the chance to look like they were leading the other disciples!
After that it would have been easier to get the others to follow - after all, if James and John can do it Peter's not going to refuse is he? So, even before we get to the more obvious themes (of which more below), there's a lesson here about how community helps us to overcome our fear - because we don't want to let the side down our pride actually becomes useful for once!
The obvious themes are about dependence and freedom. Jesus removes everything they would normally rely on if they were planning this thing themselves. They can't pack for the journey, they can't take cash or credit cards to buy food at the next town, there's no mobile to call back for support. Their usual dependence is gone, so Jesus challenges them to depend on a couple of new things. First, they have to depend on God - if this is not a commission from God himself, it's doomed to failure, but if it is God who's sending them they have to take him at his word and believe he will make a way for things to work out.
Second they have to depend on the people they're going to, even though they are going with a provocative and not always popular message. I'm pretty sure the Middle Eastern traditions of hospitality would have given them a bit of confidence here, but Jesus makes it clear they won't be universally welcomed. As an aside I think those traditions can be seen as evidence of something of God's ways already being present even before the disciples turn up - I mean, it seems like the cultural norm of properly looking after strangers as they passed through reflects something of how God is. Rather than our possessions and wealth being something we guard jealously they should be something we use gladly for others.
The other obvious theme in here is about unhindered freedom to serve. The disciples are told to shake the dust off their feet when they are not welcomed, and I suspect there are a couple of reasons for this. There's a message to the disciples and to those who reject them.
The disciples are supposed to understand that when they leave that place they leave everything about it behind them. They are not to take the rejection forward with them, or the disappointment, or even lingering regrets about not seeing lives transformed in those places. They are to shake it all off and push onwards. I guess this might have caused some questioning in the disciples minds: shouldn't they stay and try to get through to these people? Again thought the issue is about dependence - who's wisdom and plan is worth depending on?
I've been watching Generation Kill over the last couple of weeks, and one recurrent theme is that the Recon Marines it follows are constantly being given new taskings, even when they can see what looks like a much better plan based on what they know on the ground. The fact though, is that their leaders have a plan which they know only in part, and the new orders reflect that bigger (and in an ideal world better) plan. For this small Marine team to disregard their orders would jeopardise the bigger plan, and so they move on, even if reluctantly! The disciples have the advantage of knowing their leader actually has a good plan, and one which is built on knowing every fact (being the omniscient God and all), so it is worth depending on His plan.
The message for the people who reject them is clear and uncompromising. Watching the disciples shake the dust off their feet they should have understood, "You don't always get another chance, we have more work to do, and if you reject us, you have rejected us. Your choice is made, and we won't ask again. If you want to change your mind, you have to put the effort in to find us now, we ain't coming back." I wonder how comfortable we are with God communicating that? I'm convinced God loves each and every person then and now with a love which is beyond our capacity to grasp. I'm also convinced that He is able to take rejection and move on.
So, some questions to ponder for you and I if you're interested:
1) Got fears holding you back? How is community helping you? Or maybe how are you helping others in community?
2) Got dependence? What on?
3) How does that last paragraph make you feel?
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