A Traveling Bag
Copyright © September 15, 2005
by Robert Wayne Atkins, P.E.
All Rights Reserved.
When Jesus first sent His Disciples out to preach the good news,
He said, "Do not take a bag, food, money, staff, or extra clothes."
A bag could be used to carry supplies and other items for self-sufficiency.
A walking staff could be used for self-defense if it became necessary.
Just before He was crucified Jesus revised His instructions and He said,
"Take a bag, some money, and a sword with you wherever you feel led."
Jesus wanted His Disciples to be self-sufficient and to not live in fear,
or be a burden to those who for the first time the Gospel they would hear.
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When Paul left Troas, his winter cloak and his scrolls he did not take.
This he later regretted and he asked Timothy to help correct his mistake.
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We should ask God for the things we need that He has not yet provided,
But we should take good care of those things He has already supplied.
If we are careless with the things that God has already to us given,
Then He may not replace them when we once again truly need them.
Therefore pack a traveling bag with all the things you might really need,
and take it with you when traveling if Jesus’ Words you wish to heed.
Reference Scripture Verses
Matthew 10:5-10 - These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: "Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. As you go, preach this message: 'The kingdom of heaven is near.' Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. Do not take along any gold or silver or copper in your belts; take no bag for the journey, or extra tunic, or sandals or a staff; for the worker is worth his keep."
Mark 6:6-11 - Then Jesus went around teaching from village to village. Calling the Twelve to him, he sent them out two by two and gave them authority over evil spirits. These were his instructions: "Take nothing for the journey except a staff -- no bread, no bag, no money in your belts. Wear sandals but not an extra tunic. Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you leave that town. And if any place will not welcome you or listen to you, shake the dust off your feet when you leave, as a testimony against them."
Luke 9:1-6 - When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. He told them: "Take nothing for the journey -- no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra tunic. Whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave that town. If people do not welcome you, shake the dust off your feet when you leave their town, as a testimony against them." So they set out and went from village to village, preaching the gospel and healing people everywhere.
Luke 22:35-36 - Then Jesus asked them, "When I sent you without purse, bag or sandals, did you lack anything?" "Nothing," they answered. He said to them, "But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don't have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one.
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Word Definitions:
Tunic - A knee length inner or outer garment.
Cloak - A loose outer garment.
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Paul's Letter to Timothy Asking for Help:
2 Timothy 4:9-13 - Do your best to come to me quickly, for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia. Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry. I sent Tychicus to Ephesus. When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, and my scrolls, especially the parchments.
2 Timothy 4:21 - Do your best to get here before winter.
Grandpappy's e-mail address is: RobertWayneAtkins@hotmail.com