The "Walking Stick"

~~~ Amos 7:12-15 ~~~ Psalm 85 ~~~ Ephesians 1: 3-14 ~~~ Mark 6:7-13 ~~~

"...He instructed them to take nothing for the journey
but a walking stick--"

This is a verse that makes me curious no matter how often I read it.

This verse is written not only in the Gospel of Mark but also in Luke 9:3.

Popular authors like Joyce Rupp and Maya Angelou have written books focused

around this theme of the 'walking stick'.

'Take nothing' is both freeing and frightening in the same breath.

How can you take something that does not exist?

What is nothing?

If you have lived long enough you undoubtedly accept;

 that just as you were born with nothing you will also die with nothing.

Birth and death two very different kinds of journeys,

but journeys just the same.

Jesus is sending out the twelve; it is a birth for them into their

new role in his ministry.

The ministry based on trusting him alone.

He is challenging them to believe. He wants them to know that, although he

cannot walk with them, he will provide for them.

Sometimes the only way you can come to believe something

is to experience it for yourself.

Jesus is saying to them 'you are ready for this assignment'.

Go out and you will see.

"...He instructed them to take nothing for the journey
but a walking stick--"

They were allowed to take their walking stick.

The walking stick was useful as they made their way from town to town.
It certainly is symbolic of a shepherd's staff, even today
we can observe the Pope and the Bishops processing with their 'walking stick'.
A walking stick assists in keeping your balance when
walking along uneven rocky ground.

Some believe the walking staff is a metaphor for God's protective hand.

The shepherd could use the crook in the handle to grab the neck
of a straying sheep,protecting him from any dangers.

In the book of Numbers the Lord tells Moses,

"...Call together the twelve tribes of Israel and tell the leader of each tribe

to write his name on the walking stick he carries

as a symbol of his authority." (Numbers 17:17)

Here it is clearly understood that the staff is a the symbol of authority.

Having marked his, Aaron's staff sprouts as a sign from God.

His staff not only sprouts but actually puts forth blossoms

and even bore ripe olives. (Numbers 17:23)

As you can tell taking only a 'walking stick' was very

 indicative of their being sent out by God.

St. Paul's writing always has food for thought and his letter to the

Ephesians to day was true to form. His words here are so encouraging.

"...In him we were also chosen,
destined in accord with the purpose of the One
who accomplishes all things according to the intention of his will,
so that we might exist for the praise of his glory,
we who first hoped in Christ.
In him you also, who have heard the word of truth,
the gospel of your salvation, and have believed in him,

We too should reach out to others even though we may not

have a 'walking stick'

...for we have also been chosen.

sealed with the promised holy Spirit,
which is the first installment of our inheritance

Being sealed with the  holy Spirit is the begining of our eternal life with God.
toward redemption as God's possession, to the praise of his glory."

 I hope in the future the gospel passage will hold new meaning in your life.

What is like the walking stick for you?

What does it represent in your spiritual journey?