Travel Light

Years ago, when I was about twelve years old, my mom and us five kids took a vacation in Yellowstone National Park.
While we were there, a young hippie type latched onto us.
I suppose he was lonely.
And hungry.
Since my dad hadn't come along on this trip, I suppose the young man thought my mom would be an easier target for mooching.
After a couple of days, my mom had had enough and told the hippie to go mooch off some other family. (She wasn't born yesterday!)

My sisters and I were sorry to see the guy go. He was really cute. Tall, blonde and lean.

I wonder where he went afterward.
He traveled light.
He certainly wasn't dressed for an upcoming winter.
I remember that he found an old burlap bag and cut holes in it so he could wear it as a shirt.
He seemed to have no money and no possessions.
What would that be like? To travel around the country with no money, hardly any clothes, depending on the kindness of strangers?

Now, it was clear that our young hippie did not have a mission. He had no important message for the people he met.
He wasn't trying to draw anyone in to any special revelation from God.
He wasn't surrounded by friends or supporters.
But he seemed intelligent enough, and not at all crazy.
I suppose he was just a young man who wanted to see Yellowstone who didn't have the funds to travel in style.

But what about Jesus, striding down the dusty roads of ancient Israel?
Certainly he had a purpose for his journeys.
Not to see a park, but to see people.
Not to freeload, but to travel unfettered.
Not to garner romantic attention from silly young girls, but to preach to souls.
Not to beg for food, but to feed.
Not to please Himself, but to save and heal.

Quite a difference, eh?

Jesus said of himself:
 "... report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor. "