Reliance and independence- 6:6b-13

Jesus is quite specific about how the disciples are to travel- we hear of no instructions of what they are to teach, but they are to take nothing but a staff and sandals- no bread, no bag, no money in their belt. Stay in the first house you enter in a town and shake the dust off your feet to any place that will not hear your message- “So they went out and preached that men should change their whole outlook.” (Phillips) – 'ina metanowsin

First time they are sent out- and in Australia we'd have him up for a lack of duty of care. Pretty important lesson for the disciples there about what to rely on- they are basically on their own in the twos- with a message they don't understand all the implications of- but they have the example of Jesus. There is a mixture here of reliance and independence- Special agents with a fair degree of latitude for independent action within a larger mission. Perhaps its interdependent action- they are there in twos.