September 1, 2021 -- Luke 10:1-3 -- Sent by Jesus Two-by-Two

Deeply loved children of the Father, by the Spirit's power: sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to go. 2 And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. 3 Go your way; behold, I am sending you out as lambs in the midst of wolves.
Luke 10:1-3 ESV

Why is Jesus sending out disciples two-by-two into towns and villages that have not yet received Him? Well, Jesus is preparing the way for His coming to them. Jesus is preparing the harvest so that it can be gathered in whenever He visits that town.

Why does Jesus not send disciples one at a time to these villages, but sends them out two-by-two? Ecclesiastes notes: “And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken” Ecclesiastes 4:12. Two men will be as strong as a rope of three strands because two men call one another in prayer. By prayer two men braid into their lives and their work the very presence of God. That is strength indeed. Two men encourage each other so that they are more than twice as strong as one man alone. Two men can answer questions that they face, one prays and another answers.

Why are so many local churches weak? They are ignoring the principle of discipleship. Men who stand with one or two other men are emboldened to pray, to speak to others of Jesus, to answer questions, to be held accountable for their actions or lack of action. The harvest is plentiful. Jesus does not send out lone-rangers who seek to get credit for their own actions. He sends out ambassadors, who carry His credentials, who when complimented will say, “We are merely servants of the High King of Heaven, to Him goes all the credit and honour and praise.”

True Religion
Lord God Almighty,
 I ask not to be enrolled amongst the earthly great and rich,
but to be numbered with the spiritually blessed.
Make it my present, supreme, persevering concern to obtain those blessings which are
spiritual in their nature, eternal in their continuance, satisfying in their possession.
Preserve me from a false estimate of the whole or a part of my character;
May I pay regard to my principles as well as my conduct,
my motives as well as my actions.
Help me never to mistake the excitement of my passions for the renewing of the Holy Spirit,
never to judge my religion by occasional impressions and impulses,
but by my constant and prevailing disposition.
May my heart be right with thee, and my life as becometh the gospel.
May I maintain a supreme regard to another and better world,
and feel and confess myself a stranger and a pilgrim here.
Afford me all the direction, defence, support, and
consolation my journey hence requires,
and grant me a mind stayed upon thee.
Give me large abundance of the supply of the Spirit of Jesus,
that I may be prepared for every duty,
love thee in all my mercies,
submit to thee in every trial,
trust thee when walking in darkness,
have peace in thee amidst life’s changes.
Lord, I believe, *help thou my unbelief and uncertainties.
"True Religion" The Valley of Vision Ed. Arthur Bennett. Carlisle: The Banner of Truth Trust. page 118
*This carries the sense: help me, Lord, overcome my unbelief and uncertainties.

https://youtu.be/hVGE2R2wq5w
 

Copyright © 2021 Sh'ma Christian Ministries, All rights reserved.