“Jesus called the twelve and began to send them out two by two. He gave them authority over the unclean spirits. He instructed them to take nothing for the journey except a staff – no bread, no bag, no money in their belts – and to put on sandals but not to wear two tunics.
He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave the area. If a place will not welcome you or listen to you, as you go out from there, shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.”
So they went out and preached that all should repent. They cast out many demons and anointed many sick people with olive oil and healed them.” —Mark 6:7-13
Here our Lord sends out His disciples–two by two–seemingly, to experience a little taste of what is to come! Thus far they have been privy merely to sit at His feet, listening to His teaching and seeing His miracles. Yet the Lord Jesus had blessed them to be a blessing. Now they are about to learn the valuable lesson that His power extends beyond His personal presence. Some knowledge can be learned better on a field trip rather than in a classroom! The process of sending them out two by two allowed for mutual encouragement. Most assuredly, two are better than one.
Jesus sent them out to fulfill a specific special commission and His instructions were pertaining to that particular mission. These instructions were not to be taken as “Law” for all further mission assignments. He empowered them with His authority over evil spirits so that their message would be authenticated. They were to depend upon God to supply them with life’s necessities through the hospitality of others as God’s hand moved hearts to meet their needs. They were not to depend upon their own resources and strength. Much like the Israelites in the desert with the manna, they were to trust and depend upon God even in the smallest details of life.
I am reminded of our Lord’s words in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew:
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Isn’t there more to life than food and more to the body than clothing? Look at the birds in the sky: They do not sow, or reap, or gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you more valuable than they are? And which of you by worrying can add even one hour to his life? Why do you worry about clothing? Think about how the flowers of the field grow; they do not work or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his glory was clothed like one of these! And if this is how God clothes the wild grass, which is here today and tomorrow is tossed into the fire to heat the oven, won’t he clothe you even more, you people of little faith?” —Matthew 6:25-30
When Jesus sends us out on mission–be it overseas or to the grocery store–we can be assured He has prepared the way for us as well. It is His desire for us to bring Christ to our every encounter–as we go forth, Spirit led, in His all-achieving power. Remember Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians:
“But just as it is written, “Things that no eye has seen, or ear heard, or mind imagined, are the things God has prepared for those who love him.” God has revealed these to us by the Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.” —1 Corinthians 2:9-10
We can be conscious of God’s leading at all times as we listen to His still small voice. The Prophet Isaiah tells us:
“The LORD will give you distress to eat and suffering to drink; but your teachers will no longer be hidden; your eyes will see them. You will hear a word spoken behind you, saying, “This is the correct way, walk in it,” whether you are heading to the right or the left.” —Isaiah 30:20-21
Take It to Heart
Much like John the Baptist, the disciples’ message was one of repentance–turning from sin in repentance to the One true God. The great goal of gospel preaching should be to bring people to repentance–to a new heart and a new way. They were not out to amuse the public with clever anecdotes, rather they plainly preached the necessity of turning back to God. The disciples were obedient to Jesus’ command and Scripture tells us they were blessed in their obedience–healing the sick and driving out demons. When we walk with Jesus we walk victoriously–whether we readily perceive it or not.
God’s promise to Moses in Exodus is true for us as well:
““I am going to send an angel before you to protect you as you journey and to bring you into the place that I have prepared.” —Exodus 23:20
Further Reflections
“God’s promises are like the stars; the darker the night, the brighter they shine.”—David Nicholas
“What is needed is not mere present professions, but perseverance to the end in the power of faith.” -—Ignatius of Antioch