He said to them, “Take nothing for the journey, neither walking stick, nor sack, nor food, nor money, and let no one take a second tunic.
Those who would create an artificial distinction between the "Old Testament God" and the "New Testament God" should stumble on these rather explicit directives from Jesus. Turning to Saint Paul, they will realize his teaching about faith is equally demanding.
Deuteronomy spells out the kind of freedom God's people will enjoy, a liberty based upon covenant and trust. When the Hebrews were helplessly at the mercy of the uncaring Egyptians they readily obeyed Moses, and followed the column of smoke and pillar of fire into the wilderness. But given a bit of assurance, their attention wandered into their own schemes. They suffered setbacks at Massah and Meribah which persuaded them of their own foolishness. The unexpected banquets of pigeon and manna accompanied by sweet water from a rock taught them again to believe that the God of Providence is faithful.
Eventually they would practice their religion especially with the three major feasts each year. Their annual economic and agrarian cycles were divided between the seasons of sowing, harvesting, and feasting with enough for everyone -- rich and poor, native and alien -- to share the Lord's bounty. If they were faithful to the covenant, hoarding nothing and sharing equally, the LORD guaranteed abundance.
Jesus laid down the same principle for his missionaries. "Take nothing with you!" The worker deserves his pay and the missionary will be welcomed and provided for by those who hear the Gospel. There is no need to take everything you might need just in case it doesn't work out. And if you do take it with you, it won't work out!
When Saint Paul spoke of faith that's what he meant. He didn't preach a vague assurance of going to heaven if you think you're a "Christian" and haven't committed any egregious crimes. He urged his people to share with one another as if there were neither rich nor poor in their community. Likewise, they should send food and money to Christians in distant lands who were suffering famine because the favor would be returned one day. You can bank on that!
Deuteronomy describes both the strict obedience the elect must practice because they belong to God, and it guarantees their freedom from want, their security and reasonable prosperity. Our Christian tradition teaches us the same lessons even as we struggle to practice our faith in a world committed to ever-increasing disparity between the haves and have-nots.
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I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.