Greetings, dear friends,
Today, let’s take a look at Jesus sending out His disciples to share the gospel. There are several lessons we can learn from this narrative.
“And He summoned the twelve and began to send them out in pairs, and was giving them authority over the unclean spirits.”
Mark 6:7
Sent Disciples
The first thing we notice is that Jesus sent His own disciples. These were the ones who had been under His teaching for some time. By this point, they were familiar with the message Jesus was preaching and were able to share the content of the gospel.
We should understand that as believers, there is a serious requirement for us to know and understand the gospel through which we were saved. Scripture makes it clear that one of the main purposes of our calling into God’s family is to proclaim the gospel:
“But you are a chosen family, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.”
1 Peter 2:9
A Christian who is unable to share the gospel of Jesus Christ becomes unfruitful and ineffective in the kingdom of God. This responsibility is not reserved for clergy alone. Since we are all called priests, we all have a biblical mandate to share the gospel and lead people to God.
Sent in Pairs
Jesus sent His disciples in pairs, which is an interesting detail. This was a common practice in Jewish culture, particularly in the collection of alms. The early church continued this practice—we see Paul paired with Barnabas, later with Silas, and Peter paired with John.
One reason for this pairing was to provide encouragement and support as they took on this difficult task.
Even today, it is important to have people around us who can encourage us in evangelism. This highlights the importance of Christian fellowship. Even if these people are not physically with us as we share the gospel, it is good to have a community that supports and motivates us in fulfilling our duty as believers.
Sent With Authority
Jesus also gave them authority to cast out demons, demonstrating the power of Christ. The miracles they performed validated their mission and confirmed that they were sent by Jesus Himself.
It is important to understand that when we go out to preach the gospel, we do so not in our own authority, but in the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ. Paul emphasizes this in his letter:
“So then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as God is pleading through us. We beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.”
2 Corinthians 5:20
Sent Minimalistically
Jesus instructed His disciples to take only the basic necessities:
“And He instructed them that they should take nothing for their journey, except a staff only—no bread, no bag, no money in their belt—but to wear sandals; and He added, ‘Do not put on two tunics.’”
Mark 6:8-9
Jesus wanted them to identify with the common people, in stark contrast to the Pharisees and Sadducees, who made grand displays of their self-righteousness:
“But they do all their deeds to be noticed by men; for they broaden their phylacteries and lengthen the tassels of their garments. And they love the place of honor at banquets and the best seats in the synagogues, and respectful greetings in the marketplaces, and being called Rabbi by men.”
Matthew 23:5-7
Jesus’ instruction to His disciples was to remain humble and rely on the work of the gospel to draw people to God. Likewise, our evangelism should not depend on human tactics, but on the power of God’s Word.
“For we did not make known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, following cleverly devised myths, but being eyewitnesses of His majesty.”
2 Peter 1:16
Sent Specifically
The disciples were given specific instructions on how to carry out their mission:
“And He was saying to them, ‘Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave town.’”
Mark 6:10
They were to carefully select the houses they would minister to and respond based on how they were received. If they were rejected, they were to move on without forcing the gospel upon anyone:
“And any place that does not receive you or listen to you, as you go out from there, shake the dust off the soles of your feet for a testimony against them.”
Mark 6:11
The gospel is never meant to be forced on people. It is a double-edged sword—those who receive it gain salvation and eternal life, while those who reject it will face judgment:
“And they went out and preached that men should repent.”
Mark 6:12
This was the same message with which Jesus began His ministry: repentance. Repentance means a change of mind, attitude, and will regarding sin. It involves recognizing that our sins offend a holy and just God, who will not leave the wicked unpunished. But it also means understanding that this same God sent His Son, Jesus, to die on the cross so that everyone who believes in His life, death, and resurrection will be saved.
Sent Effectively
The disciples’ mission was successful. Equipped with divine authority, they preached the truth, and their work bore fruit:
“And they were casting out many demons and were anointing with oil many sick people and healing them.”
Mark 6:13
I pray that we remain faithful in our duty to share the good news of salvation—by faith alone, in Christ alone. May we always remember that we are called to proclaim the excellencies of God.
Leave a Reply