Trust in the Daily Bread

Scripture: 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 6:8-9

Observation: When the 12 are first sent out in Jesus name to heal and bless other towns, this is part of their instructions, to take absolutely and quite literally nothing. They have the clothes they are wearing, and a staff.

There could be a practical reason for this ... the total lack of any sack or pouch, in combination with a staff, means they obviously have nothing of value a robber could want AND a functional weapon, and therefore attacking them is foolish. However, it is clear the real reason for these instructions is a matter of faith.

The disciples will be completely dependent on the 'daily bread' the Lord provides along the way. This goes beyond forgoing self-sufficiency, and moves into the realm of complete trust in the Lord alone. In addition, this opens the door to the idea that the Lord's provision often comes from the goodness of others, and from one's own work being aligned to the Lord's instructions regarding kindness and mercy. As the disciples do the work of the Lord, and as they serve and help others in Jesus' name, they will then receive all they need every day, without fail.

Application: The other day I needed to drive somewhere in inclement winter weather. I changed clothes, took an extra coat and extra shoes, and put them in my four-wheel drive truck. In other words, I had equipment specially designed for what I was doing, and still grabbed a few extra items on the way out the door just in case. This is normal behavior. Going on a walking journey for a month or two without a nickel in your pocket or even a change of shirts is not normal behavior.

That is the point, of course. Jesus doesn't call us to 'normal'. The Lord isn't looking for people who are acting and thinking in accordance with the world's operations. We are called to faith.

I don't think grabbing a coat on your way out the door in winter demonstrates a lack of faith, as my coat was provided by God. Having twenty bucks in my pocket as I walk around isn't due to lack of faith, it is because the Lord provides me with money. That said, faith does involve trusting that the Lord will solve my daily issues, will direct my daily steps, will provide my daily food and drink, will care for my daily health. I do trust in him in all matters.

Prayer: Lord, please do provide us this day our daily bread. You are so loving and so wonderful, may I remember daily that all I need is you alone. Amen.