After these things the Lord appointed seventy others also, and sent them two by two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go. Then He said to them, “The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest. Go your way; behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves. Carry neither money bag, knapsack, nor sandals; and greet no one along the road – Luke 10:1-4, NKJV
When it comes to evangelism, going out and sharing the Gospel with others, do you go alone or with another person? Jesus sent His disciples out in pairs. Why? The witness of two people is trustworthy. These two people will be doubly effective in imparting God’s Word. Although physically, they are two people, they are one in purpose and in mission. They are working in unity through the Holy Spirit in sharing the Gospel. Jesus wasn’t alone in His missionary work, the Father was with Him and He was filled with the Holy Spirit.
It’s good to go with someone else when it comes to sharing the Gospel. You might be better at explaining things while the other person might be more of a prayer warrior. Or you might be more comfortable interacting with people while the person you’re with might be better at helping people to understand the Scriptures. And you can support each other. It’s always a blessing to work with someone. What can be more rewarding than sharing God’s Word with others and seeing how it transforms lives? Wouldn’t it be nice to have someone else to share these experiences with?
Peter and John were together when they were about to enter the temple and a lame man asked them for alms. Instead of giving him what he asked for, Peter said to him, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” He lifted the man up who entered the temple with them, walking, leaping and praising God (Acts 3:6-8, NKJV).
Paul and Silas were in prison together, praying and singing hymns when suddenly there was a great earthquake which shook the prison causing the doors to the cells to fly open and everyone’s chains to be broken. When the jailer ran in and saw the cell doors opened, he assumed that the prisoners had escaped and would have taken his own life but Paul quickly assured him that they were all still there. This unusual occurrence led the jailer to receive Christ (Acts 16:25-34). Paul and Barnabas were in ministry together. Can you imagine how excited they must have been when they shared with the other believers the many miracles and wonders God which had worked through them among the Gentiles (Acts 15:12)?
Team work is a great thing. One person might be good at explaining things while the other is better at praying or sharing their personal testimony. When in ministry with Barnabas who was nicknamed, the son of encouragement, Paul was the chief speaker (Acts 4:36; 14:12). Barnabas was there to encourage and to support him. There are times when someone like Paul would be more effective and at others times, someone like Barnabas. It depends on the situation and the person(s) you are ministering to. This is why two people are better than one.
Jesus sends the disciples into the places where He planned to go. The Lord would not send us where He Himself would not go and that is very reassuring. While He was here, He went into the places where there was a need, teaching, healing and ministering to the people. Matthew tells us that when Jesus saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. And that’s when He said to the disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest” (Matthew 9:37, 38, NKJV).
Here He is sending 70 disciples out into the harvest. Today, He is sending us into a world which is perishing. There are so many people out there who need to hear the Good News that they have a Savior who loves them and who gave His life for them so that “whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16, NKJV). We should feel the same urgency for leading others to salvation. The work of soul winning is great and overwhelming. This is why we need to pray to the Father and ask Him to send us and others out into the field–into the harvest.
The apostle Paul asks the questions, “How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!” (Romans 10:14, 15, NKJV). There is a great harvest out there, ripe and just waiting to be gathered. So, when we share God’s Word and they believe it, the Holy Spirit will work with them in their conversion and acceptance of Christ as their Savior.
Jesus sent the disciples on their way, warning them that they are lambs being out among wolves. The environment they are going into will be hostile. They will encounter opposition. Jesus the Lamb of God came into the world which did not know Him and to His own who didn’t receive Him (John 1:10, 11). He was opposed and rejected. His disciples would experience the same thing. Likewise, when you go into the world and share the Gospel, you will face persecution, opposition, ridicule and rejection. Remember Jesus’s words, “The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also (John 15:20, NKJV). We will be lambs among wolves in this world, but we must not to be discouraged. There will also be those who will be receptive. There were those who received Jesus and to them, He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name (John 1:12).
Jesus instructed the disciples not to take their money bags, knapsacks, nor sandals with them. Instead, they would depend on God who will provide for them. All they were to take was the message of salvation. When you go to share the Gospel, depend on God to provide you with whatever you need. Have faith in Him.
Jesus told them not to greet anyone on the way. In other words, don’t be distracted. Stay focused. Don’t let anything or anyone prevent you from accomplishing what you were sent to do. While here, Jesus never lost His focus. He did everything His Father sent Him to do and when his ministry was over, He was able to say, “It is finished.” How wonderful would it be for you to say to Him, “I have done all that You have sent me to do.” And His reply is, “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:23, NKJV).
Jesus appointed these 70 disciples and sent them into the harvest. How exciting it must have been for them. Today, He is calling you to go out into the harvest too. Will you go? Will you go and wins souls for Him?
And then he told them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone. (Mark 16:15, NLT).
Sources: Like A Team; Biblical Archaeology Society;
Notes to Women 