When you see this, your heart shall rejoice and your bodies flourish like the grass; the LORD’s power shall be known to his servants.

Imagine you are in Galilee, the seaside area where Jesus did a lot of His teaching. It is much like this place, where we are, at Kurs. There are hills, rivers, lakes, an abundance of life.

We are there with Jesus and He is sending us out, out of His immediate protection, out into the world. Even more than that He is asking us to take nothing, to simply trust that God will take care of us.

Can you imagine going on a trip without a change of clothes, I’m sure you have a few here at our encampment. I’m sure you’ve brought some money for snacks and other stuff. Jesus asked them to take no money, nothing.

Jesus asked them to head out without even making friends along the way. You will certainly make friends here.

Jesus was asking some incredible things – and they did what He asked. A little secret not in today’s gospel – they were very successful.

We find it very hard to trust, to expect things to be great. Yet, that is what God promises. He will take care of us. He will see to our needs. Beyond that, He will do it in ways that are abundant.

I ask that you think of something you really like. It may be a food, a game, a time shared with friends, a time with family. Then imagine that thing times ten thousand. 

That is the abundance the Prophet Isaiah was talking about. That is the abundance that God promises – and provides.

With God nothing is lacking. With God, no risk is without backup. If we are doing His will, He is there with us and He has our back.

We often doubt. We often wonder, will God take care of little ‘ole me. Jesus is showing us in a very practical way that He will take care of us. The disciples experienced God’s care, and they’ve passed it onto us.

It is essential that we take the time to trust in Jesus. That means a lot. It means doing as He asks without fear. It means stepping out of our comfort zone and simply saying yes to God.