Mark 6:8 NKJV
“He commanded them to take nothing for the journey except a staff—no bag, no bread, no copper in their money belts—”
Mark 6:8 NKJV
When Jesus sent out His disciples, He spoke specifically only to bring a staff and nothing else.
There were no provisions given before the journey; there was no extra clothing.
But just a staff. A staff is not just a stick.
Besides being a sign of authority and used by the shepherd to bring direction to the sheep, the staff was also used as what we call in our day a journal. They are markings on the staff to remind them of great and memorable events that took place in their lives.
David said my rod and my staff, they comforted me.
He is not talking about a staff that comforted him but what is written on it.
It was memories of deliverance, victory and achievement that God had given to David.
Jacob leaned on top of his staff when he blessed his children. It is actually impossible for someone to lean on top of the staff.
What it means is that Jacob leaned on the experience, encounter and knowledge of God to bless his children.
Jesus only gave His disciples a command and a heart (a staff) to record the miracle of provision, to record the miracle of deliverance and the great events that they witnessed.
As God’s Word says that He will write them on their hearts.
Today, people will only go when all their needs have been supplied and all have been taken care of. Only then would they say yes, Lord, I will go.
Walking by faith and going with nothing for Jesus promises great adventure, great miracles and great experiences with our God.
Do we have a staff in our lives that is ready to record the goodness of God so that when the time comes, we know what is written will come to pass again and again.
Let us not start with provision but let us start with faith in our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Blessings
Ps Ambrose