Take Nothing For The Journey
LENT DEVOTIONAL 2026 | DAY 17
Luke 9:1–27 (NIV)
By Nijendra Mahendra, Associate Lay Leader, Local Church Executive Committee
READ:
Luke 9:1–27 (NIV)
The scripture that captivated my attention in this passage was when Jesus sent His twelve disciples out with the instruction, “Take nothing for the journey—no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra tunic.”
This moment came immediately after the disciples had witnessed Jesus perform healing miracles, and now it was their turn to go out and do likewise. As someone who meticulously strategises and plans far ahead, imagining myself in the place of the disciples sent waves of anxiety through my mind. How could one go on a journey without bringing anything?
For me, the staff symbolised authority, guidance, and physical support. The bag represented the containment of earthly provisions. Bread symbolised basic sustenance. Money was the means of trade. The extra tunic was clothing for change. These are exactly the things I would pack for a journey—except perhaps the staff! Yet the disciples did exactly as Jesus instructed and took nothing for their journey.
As I spent time meditating on this passage and reflecting on my own faith journey, a strong reminder came to mind: Jesus desires me to be totally dependent on God and on others for provision and support, while I focus fully on the work He has set before me. This call and journey of faith are not new to me, yet they still bring moments of anxiety from time to time.
After coming to faith 23 years ago, Jesus turned my world upside down and inside out, leading me to a place of serving Him single-mindedly. The call was strong and clear, but certainly not easy to follow, as it required total dependence on God for provision while He kept me in the marketplace. Looking back, no amount of meticulous strategising or planning ever produced what I needed. Yet every provision my family and I have required over the past 23 years has been given to us—truly by His grace.
Through the years, as my faith has grown and as I now see my life closer to the end than the beginning, I can better appreciate what it means to “take nothing for the journey.” Following Jesus is not only about His call on my life; more importantly, it is about my dependence on Him as I pilgrimage through life on this earth.
[ Reflection Questions ]
- When Jesus tells His disciples to “take nothing for the journey,” what feelings does that stir in you today—trust, fear, resistance, or hope?
- How does our culture’s emphasis on security, planning, and self-reliance affect the way we approach faith?
- As you follow and serve Jesus, what is the ‘staff’, ’bag’, ‘bread’, ‘money’ and ‘extra tunic’ that you should not be bringing with you?
