Building Faith

Luke 22:35-39

Jesus sent out his disciples to preach, preparing people to hear his message. Literally, they were preparing the soil. In doing so, he gave some specific instructions as to what they were to do. The instructions were given back in Luke 9:1-6.

“Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick. And he said unto them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staves, nor scrip, neither bread, neither money; neither have two coats apiece. And whatsoever house ye enter into, there abide, and thence depart. And whosoever will not receive you, when ye go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet for a testimony against them. And they departed, and went through the towns, preaching the gospel, and healing every where.

Jesus sent the twelve to people who’d not yet heard his message. They were to take nothing for their journey, not food, or extra clothing, or money, but to depend completely upon God. Going into a place where no one knows you with nothing for support is daunting, but this is what Christ asked the disciples to do. It was the first missionary effort. Over two years later, while celebrating the last supper, Jesus refers back to that missionary training program.

“And he said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing.” (Luke 22:35)

Among people who had no reason to pay any attention to them, with no backup system, or source of funding, the disciples had experienced no problems doing the job Jesus sent them to do. The Lord emphasizes this by asking his question, obviously implying that it is important. When we are doing God’s work the way he said to do it, there will always be an adequate supply to accomplish God’s purpose. Now Jesus speaks to the same group who he’d instructed to take nothing, giving them new instructions.

“Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one. For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end.” (Luke 22;36-37)

They are no longer going to those who haven’t heard. Now he instructs them to provide for themselves, even for things they normally wouldn’t have, for example the sword. This is so important that Jesus takes time to teach it just a couple of hours before his arrest and interrogation.

I have been closely involved with missions for almost fifty years. During that time I have observed many missionaries’ work. While I still am firmly committed to missions, I am convinced that much of what is done is contrary to God’s word, and counterproductive, and some is flagrantly fraudulent. Sadly, I can point to no group which has consistently followed the biblical teachings. I believe it is the primary reason why “missionaries” are still needed on the Navajo reservation, after a hundred and fifty years of mission work.

It is necessary that a man go into a field where there are no churches by faith. There is no assurance that he will be supported by the local people. At this point everything is based solely upon his faith. One of the most important aspects of his job is teaching the local people to trust God. The example of his faith is the starting point. A missionary who depends on his supporting churches or missions organization to supply needs may teach his people to trust organizations rather than God. If they see God supply his needs, they can believe God will supply theirs. The closer the missionary lives to their level, the easier it is to believe.

No lesson is fully learned or retained until it has been put into practice. In order to grow, new Christians need to support their own church and pastor. Only then will they learn how richly God provides. As Jesus pointed out, it was necessary so that God’s plan could be accomplished.

Often times, what is available seems far too little. The five loaves and two fishes could not possibly feed five thousand men, and two swords could not possibly defend against the army. It was a concern to the disciples. Jesus said it was enough.

“And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough.” (Luke 22:38)

Only when we give God what is available and let him use it do we see his power. When churches rush in to help some smaller weaker church, they prevent those people from seeing God’s provision, and weaken the people’s faith. The churches become dependent on other churches, rather than on God. A church with two or three hundred members depends on other churches for their pastor’s salary, or for repairs on the church building because they have not learned to trust God. Churches which learn to trust God have enough to obtain their own buildings and pay their own expenses. They must be taught.

Immediately after teaching these things, Jesus went to the Mount of Olives, where he was later arrested.