The Power of Two

The more we walk together with God and enjoy the benefits, the more we want to learn how to empower others to do the same.  When we begin praying for others and planting seeds of faith in their lives, it can become overwhelming when our list of people gets longer and longer.  In these times, I like to remember that even Jesus did not work with the five thousand in the same way he did the twelve.

Some time after this, Jesus crossed to the far shore of the Sea of Galilee (that is, the Sea of Tiberias), and a great crowd of people followed him because they saw the signs he had performed by healing the sick. (John 6:1-2 NIV)

Jesus' teachings and miracles certainly drew large crowds.  Often times, we think of "effective ministry" as being large crowd type of ministry.  In Jesus' life, that simply was not the case.  Whenever large crowds started to gather, Jesus would often do things that caused the crowd to break up and go home.

Jesus said, "Have the people sit down." There was plenty of grass in that place, and they sat down (about five thousand men were there). Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish. (John 6:10-11 NIV)

Don't get me wrong now.  He fed the five thousand.  He certainly didn't turn down the opportunity to give the sermon on the mount.  He served large crowds with food, healing, and teaching.  But he didn't let the large crowd mentality get out of hand.  Sometimes he would give them teaching that was difficult enough that they would walk away scratching their heads.  Sometimes he would just leave himself.

After the people saw the sign Jesus performed, they began to say, "Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world." Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself. (John 6:14-15 NIV)

When Jesus withdrew by himself, it was to spend time in prayer.  Praying about the Father's call in his life was essential to the ministry of Jesus.  He always did and said what the Father called him to do and say, regardless of whether it was popular or not.  Jesus wasn't trying to win popularity contests.  He was preparing people to become his disciples and disciple-makers.

After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town... (Luke 10:1 NIV)

We know that Jesus had "concentric circles" of relationships - people who were closer than others.  Jesus may have done things to purposefully think crowds of thousands.  He knew seventy two, though, by name.  In fact, he knew them well enough to pair them up, empower them with The Spirit, and send them out on test-runs to get ready for the later ministry they were going to do.

When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, (Luke 9:1 NIV)

Before sending out the seventy two, Jesus did the same thing with the twelve.  He had already been working with them to teach them and prepare them for the ministry they would perform after his ascension.  They needed to know what to do when The Spirit descended upon them on the day of Pentecost.  Jesus gave them instructions, The Spirit, and a test-run as well.

About eight days after Jesus said this, he took Peter, John and James with him and went up onto a mountain to pray. (Luke 9:28 NIV)

Within the twelve, Jesus had an even closer relationship with three.  Peter, James, and John went with Jesus when he raised a little girl from the dead, when he was transfigured before their eyes, and when he was praying in the garden of Gethsemane.  Peter was given the "keys of the kingdom" and John referred to himself as the one that Jesus loved.  Jesus had a closer relationship with the three than the other nine.

My encouragement to you is this: don't be overwhelmed by the number of people God puts on your heart.  Pray for them.  Plant seeds of God's love and truth in their lives.  Allow different relationships to be, well, different.  Some will be closer.  Some will be more surface in nature.  Some people you will encounter every day.  Others you will see once a year at the family gathering.  Talk to God.  Ask Him for the names.  Then, pray for them.

In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord's commands and decrees blamelessly. (Luke 1:5-6 NIV)

Did you notice how the twelve and seventy two were sent out?  They went out two by two.  There is great power in being one mind with another person in ministry.  I encourage you to begin praying for that partner in ministry.  Who is God calling you to work with?

Jesus said: "Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them." (Matthew 18:19-20 NIV)

I'm praying for you right now - that God will provide for you a partner in ministry.  I'm praying for your ministry to others, that you will be faithful in praying and planting seeds of faith in those around you.  I'm asking God to help you recognize when someone is with God and when they are against - especially yourself.  I'm asking God to empower, equip, and spur you on to love and good deeds so you will empower one more to walk together with God.