Sent Out Together

“After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go" (Luke 10:1, NIV).

Jesus appointed 72 disciples and sent them out in pairs. This wasn't random planning. He understood something profound about human nature and the challenges of living on mission.

In the general ups-and-downs of following Christ it’s easy to be drawn into isolation, and this is especially apparent when it comes to evangelism. The thought of sharing Jesus with others can feel overwhelming when we imagine doing it solo. But Jesus never intended for us to go alone.

Notice that Jesus rarely sends out disciples solo. He even sent two people just to fetch a donkey for His entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday! Even the most confident disciple on a mission needs a friend to walk alongside them, someone to pray with them, a companion to encourage them when conversations don’t go as planned.

The harvest truly is plentiful, but the workers are few. The issue is at our end, not God’s.

It’s interesting that when Paul was first sent out on mission, the call at the start of Acts 13 came in the context of prayer and worship, and he was sent out with Barnabas. “While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them'” (Acts 13:2, NIV).

Jesus' solution isn't better programs or more resources. His plan is prayer, partnership, and empowerment from the Spirit. “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field" (Luke 10:2, NIV).

As we pray for more workers to join the mission field, something beautiful happens when we begin to realize that we are the answer to our own prayers! When you pray for God to raise up people who will share His love, you're inviting Him to use you too. You're positioning yourself to be sent alongside others who share your heart for the lost.

There is a strength in going with others on mission. “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor” (Ecclesiastes 4:9, NIV). Evangelism can be the most enjoyable and life-giving thing you ever do, or the most challenging and difficult thing you do - and sometimes both are simultaneously true!

As we think about identifying and then reaching our Person(s) of Peace, we must remember to do this with others. That doesn’t mean every conversation has to happen in a group, but rather you are operating as part of a team, whether that’s your family or with a group of friends.

A good example of this was when Peter was invited by Cornelius (a Person of Peace) to come and speak to him and his household, which would have consisted of Roman soldiers and support staff. Even though Peter had received three visions from Jesus telling him to go, and Cornelius’ representatives were there to escort him, we discover that, “The next day Peter started out with them, and some of the believers from Joppa went along” (Acts 10:23, NIV). As we read on in that story, we see how important it turned out to be to have other believers witnessing the miraculous work of God that took place.

Community changes everything about evangelism. It's no longer about individual performance or personal charisma. You don't need to be the most articulate person in the room. You just need to be willing to go with someone else who loves Jesus.

Jesus is still sending people today. If you're a Christian, you are sent! The question is not whether you're called to share your faith; the question is whether you will be obedient. Once that’s settled, you just need to figure out who you’re going to (hence Person of Peace) and who you’re going alongside.

Your Next Steps

1. Name a Christian you could partner with in prayer and friendship as you both seek to share Jesus with others.
2. What specific harvest field around you needs workers? Consider your neighborhood, workplace, school, or hobby groups.
3. How might praying for more workers in your community change your own heart toward evangelism?
   

Prayer

Father, thank You that You never send us out alone. Thank You for the gift of Christian community and partnership in the Gospel. Please help me identify who You want me to walk alongside in sharing Your love. Give me the courage to step into the harvest field, knowing that You go before me and with me. Raise up more workers in our community who will join in reaching those who don't yet know You! Make me faithful to be part of the answer to this prayer. In Jesus' name, Amen.