He sees the opportunities to serve and is free to do so. It is toward that freedom to share the good news that Jesus calls us. To move out from the slavery of our fears that we cannot, that we are not up to it, that we might be rejected and to journey to a new place of mission and witness in the church. I find it most interesting that Jesus sends the 12 out, first of all, two by two so they can support and encourage each other. Not a bad idea.
Somebody ought to capitalize on that.
Oh, yes, it s already being done. But, as we tell our faith stories to one another around the Sunday morning coffee table or in small groups here at St. John s, as we commit ourselves to pray for one another s witness, as we encourage one another to keep our eyes open for the opportunities to share we are together in this, and need to be if we are to move beyond our fears. But, I find it even more curious that Jesus tells the 12, take only a staff, a pair of sandals and a tunic. Boy, that sounds familiar to me. Where the people of Israel have been living in fear and in slavery in Egypt and God says, It s time for you to leave this slavery and fear and journey with me.