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Feb 17, 2026 06:00am

Walking Through Luke: Take Nothing for Yourself

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Before you go on a trip, what is something you usually do? When we’re younger, it’s something our parents did for us. But hopefully, as you get older, you start doing it yourself. Either way, it’s something that has to be done before you go anywhere.

You have to pack!

If you don’t pack for a trip, you’ll end up wearing the same clothes the whole time. For some of my youth group students, that’s probably not far off. I’ve seen what they pack to go to church camp and youth conferences. I’m only kind of kidding.

Some people are over-preparers. They pack seven pairs of underwear for a three-day trip or bring a jacket just in case it gets cold—even though the trip is in the middle of August. I tend to be an over-packer, but not to an extreme degree. I might bring one extra change of clothes compared to the number of days I’ll be gone. Typically, I pack pretty precisely. I plan out exactly what I’ll need, and while I might think ahead, I usually don’t fret about possibilities I can’t control.

Last September, my wife, daughters, and I went on a family trip with my parents and siblings. It was the first time we’d taken a big trip since either girl was born, and certainly the first time since we had two of them. As you can imagine, we stuffed the car full. The girls’ toys, tons of clothes, books, playpens, diapers, food—everything that could go into the car did.

Since it was September, and we lived (and were vacationing) in Arkansas, the weather was still trending warmer, though we had seen a few moderate days. I decided against bringing a jacket, but I packed jeans instead of shorts because I felt it was cool enough that I wouldn’t need them.

As it turned out, I was mostly right. However, there was one day when we went mini-golfing, and I regretted not bringing even one pair of shorts. It was warm that morning, and by the time we reached the end of the mini-golf course, I was sweating and wishing for a pair of shorts to replace my blue jeans. On that trip, I wasn’t fully prepared for every occasion.

In Luke 9:1–9, Jesus was preparing the disciples for a very different kind of trip. He was sending them on a journey, but as He did, He gave them some unique instructions.

“Then Jesus called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and He sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. He said to them, ‘Take nothing for your journey: no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money—not even an extra tunic.’” (Luke 9:1–3, NRSVUE)

Jesus sent His disciples on a mission. Before He did, He equipped them with special tools: the ability to heal diseases and the authority to cast out demons. In other words, He gave them His authority. They were going out in His name, and anything they did was as if He were doing it Himself.

Once, at a restaurant where I worked in college, we ran out of ketchup. My manager handed me the corporate credit card and told me to go to the store and buy ketchup and small plastic cups to serve it in. He sent me on a mission and gave me the authority to use corporate funds to secure what we needed. I wasn’t spending my own money. Likewise, the disciples weren’t healing or casting out demons by their own power. They were doing so under the authority of Jesus, using power granted by Him.

Before sending them out, Jesus gave them specific instructions: don’t take money, food, extra clothes, a bag, or a staff (or at least an extra one, as clarified in Mark 6:8). They weren’t to make reservations at inns but were to stay in the homes of those who welcomed them. They were to eat the food provided for them. In other words, they were to trust God to lead them to people who would supply what they needed. They had received salvation and miraculous power freely, and they were to give freely as well.

Can you imagine doing that? It would require incredible faith. Most missionaries today secure financial support and plan carefully for housing, transportation, and other essentials. They aren’t wrong to do so—Jesus’s command here was specific to the disciples at that moment in time. Additionally, the disciples weren’t staying long-term in the places they visited, as many modern missionaries do.

Jesus wanted them to learn complete reliance on God, especially since there were no churches yet to support them. Carrying extra supplies could have burdened them unnecessarily and tempted them to end the mission early when resources ran low. What Jesus desired was obedience detached from physical security. This also allowed new believers to learn early how to care for those who ministered the Gospel.

If a town rejected them, the disciples were instructed to leave and shake the dust from their feet. This act symbolized recognition that the people had rejected the Gospel and were choosing separation from its message.

The disciples obeyed. They preached and healed everywhere they went. The movement became so widespread that word reached King Herod, who was perplexed. He knew Jesus wasn’t John the Baptist—since he had beheaded him—but wondered if Jesus was one of the prophets raised from the dead.

The things God calls us to do don’t always make sense. They may not seem practical, and to those outside the faith, they can appear baffling. Traveling without supplies or serving without reward doesn’t align with worldly logic. But the kingdom of heaven operates differently.

While Jesus may not call us today to abandon everything we own (though in some cases He might), He does call us to avoid placing our trust in jobs, money, or material security. Our needs are met by His provision, often through the generosity of His people.

So, what are you doing for Him?

You may not be called to sacrifice your belongings, but you are called to proclaim the good news. You are called to represent the Kingdom, just as the disciples were.

We are on mission.
We have been given an assignment.

Are you living it?