Mary’s Lent Diary (Day 31)

There has been a bit of a development on the miracles front. Jesus has sent his 12 disciples out alone.  Well, in pairs anyway.  And they are to tell people about God, and to heal people.  If one of their first thoughts was going home to pack before setting off, they had another think coming!  Jesus told them to take nothing with them?!  No bag, no food, no money, no spare clothes…I wonder how I’d cope with that.

When they arrive at a town where they want to stay for a bit, they find someone to give them a bed, and then stay in that house until they leave the town.  No moving around amongst neighbouring houses.

Hopefully they will be welcome, but Jesus did warn them that not everyone would be pleased to see them.  Some people would not welcome them at all and, in that case, they were not to worry.  Not to stay and argue.  Not to get offended.  They were to simply move on…

The 12 of them set off today, two by two (a bit like the animals on Noah’s Ark!). But there is a nagging thought at the back of my mind – Jesus is only in his early thirties so why is he seeming to be preparing his disciples to take over from him?  He could carry on doing all these miracles for a good while yet….there’s that sword piercing my heart again.  But I won’t think about that now.  I do hope these pairs of disciples get on well, I am looking forward to hearing all about it when they return.

Two people in shadow, walking

Jesus sent His disciples out into the world.

And what was their task?

To tell people about God.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

John 3:16

People can’t believe in Him if they don’t know, and Jesus tasked His disciples with telling people.

He still tasks His disciples with telling people about Him.

Is there anyone you could share God’s love with this Lent?

Jesus sent the disciples out in pairs.

He made sure they were not alone.

He wanted them to support each other.

Who has He paired you with?

Think of people in your life who have supported you.

Thank God for them.

Maybe send them a text or a card, letting them know how much you value them.

Think of people you support.

Thank God for those people.

Maybe let them know how much you value them.

Remind yourself of God’s promise:

For I hold you by your right hand— I, the LORD your God. And I say to you, ‘Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you.

Isaiah 41:13

The pairs of disciples were to take nothing with them.

Perhaps, as we seek to live God’s ways, and share His love, we can forget to rely on Him as we do so.

We begin to do it in our own strength.

Jesus’ instruction to ‘take nothing’ is a reminder to rely on God to provide.

And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:19 NLT

Is there something He’s asking you to let go of?

To stop carrying with you, and let Him provide?

Jesus told His disciples not to take things personally.

They were not responsible for how people responded to them and their message.

Because they were in pairs, no matter how unwelcome people made them, they would always have each other.

Jesus made sure of that.

As we live following Jesus’ way, we do so together with others.

The Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12).

We are not alone.

Lord Jesus,

Please show me how I can share Your love in my part of Your world.

How I can share Your love with the people I meet.

How I can share Your love with the people You pair me with.

Help me not to take things too personally.

May I find rest in Your provision.

Amen

Mary’s Memo Take Nothing

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