Working for One's Supper
I am the kind of person who learns by doing.
When I come across something new, like a new software application or development platform, for example, I look at some examples of what people have created using it and I watch some tutorials, but it isn't until I get down to trying to build something in it that I really start to learn.
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. He said to them, "Take nothing for your journey, no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money-not even an extra tunic. Whatever house you enter, stay there, and leave from there. Wherever they do not welcome you, as you are leaving that town shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them." They departed and went through the villages, bringing the good news and curing diseases everywhere. - Luke 9:1-6
Get out there and do what I showed you, he told them.
In today's reading, Jesus gives the twelve a mission and he sends them out with nothing but the clothes on their back and the faith that he gave them.
They would learn by doing.
That's not the way we are taught in schools, though. Throughout our early education, we study for tests. When we get it right, we get good grades and then leave that knowledge behind.
When we get it wrong, we fail and we never get a chance to try that again.
We are conditioned to be prepared before we venture out, to gather as much wisdom and knowledge about everything before we do anything.
So, when we fail, we are defeated, deflated, demoralized and ashamed.
The instructions Jesus gives them accounts for failure. He tells them they should move on if they are rejected, shaking the dust off their feet as they leave.
Just keep moving, he tells them. Fail forward to success.
The interesting thing about that strategy is that it has no criteria for giving up. You don't ever give up. You just keep moving on and trying again.
Sure, there is fear in that. What if they try all day long and no one welcomes them, no one gives them food or water?
Eventually, you would get hungry, and that might make you desperate. Maybe you will be more convincing, more excited about what you are sharing and doing. You might have to put your heart and soul into your work for people to stand up and take notice.
I am afraid we have lost that commitment to our work, our ministries, our lives. We don't try hard enough, nor do we keep at it when we fail. We give up and ask for others to help us.
Imagine if all of us really had to work for our supper. How would that change us?
How would we see ourselves in the world?
There is so much talk these days about income inequality, a concept that boggles my mind. It sounds like something we believe - some receive more than others so they should share and everyone has what they need.
That is the way the early church began, as a communal society, with all sharing the fruits of their labors, but what about when they ventured out?
Some may have been treated to a banquet while others got nothing for the same work. And what did the ones who received nothing do? They moved on and tried again.
The message I get in this lesson is to keep at it, to give it my all and never give up. That doesn't mean I won't share with others, but I certainly won't expect others to carry me either.
Whenever I feel like giving up, I will remember what Jesus told his disciples and I will shake the dust off my soles and keep moving. When I get to the banquet, I hope to see you there.
More to come...
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