During the War Between the States, a Union soldier from Ohio was shot in the arm during the battle of Shiloh. His captain saw that he was injured and barked an order: “Give me your gun, Private, and get to the rear!”

The private handed over his rifle and ran toward the north, seeking safety. But after covering two or three hundred yards, he came upon another skirmish. Then he ran to the east and ran into another part of the battle. Then he ran west, but encountered more fighting there. Finally he ran back to the front lines, shouting “Gimme my gun back, Cap’n. There ain’t no rear to this battle!” (1)

Jesus was sending his disciples out to do battle with the forces of death and decay in the world. There would be no rear to this battle. In our lesson today he is helping them prepare for th…