Take Nothing for the Journey

The TSA advises travelers to leave a lot of stuff at home when traveling. So does Jesus.

It will come as no surprise to anyone today that you can't put guns, knives, crossbows, meat cleavers, box cutters, mace or similar items in your carry-on luggage and expect to be allowed to board an airliner.

But what's the problem with mascara, toothpaste, mouthwash, hair gel, yogurt, chocolate pudding or such in your bag? A few personal care items are permitted in very small amounts and packed a special way, but not the other stuff in any quantity. Explosives can be disguised to look like those innocent products, so we have to either leave them at home or put them in our checked bags.

Actually, the TSA (Transportation Security Administration) would be happier if we all took nothing more than the clothes on our backs for our journeys by plane, but generally, that's not practical.

Still, that's essentially what Jesus told his disciples when he sent them out in pairs to cast out demons, heal the sick and call people to repentance. "Take nothing for the journey," he told them. Actually,...