Then Jesus went around teaching from village to village. Calling the Twelve to him, he began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over impure spirits. These were his instructions: “Take nothing for the journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in your belts. Wear sandals but not an extra shirt. Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you leave that town. And if any place will not welcome you or listen to you, leave that place and shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.”

--Parallel verses:
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭10‬:‭5‬-‭15
These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.
Do not get any gold or silver or copper to take with you in your belts— no bag for the journey or extra shirt or sandals or a staff, for the worker is worth his keep. Whatever town or village you enter, search there for some worthy person and stay at their house until you leave. As you enter the home, give it your greeting. If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you. If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet. Truly I tell you, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.

We see here two accounts of the same story from different eye witness perspectives. One is more detailed and the other is in summary form.

Here are a few questions that come to mind: 1) Why did Jesus send them in twos? 2) Why did he tell them to only bring a few things? 3) What would it have been like to have Jesus grant me authority in-person to heal, cast out demons, and perform miraculous signs? 4) What is up with the blessing and curse bit?

Jesus was mainly wanting to extend the training of his disciples from primarily an “observation and helps” stage into a “perform the work of the ministry on your own” stage. It is one thing to see others full of God’s Spirit preaching the good news about Jesus, healing, casting out evil spirits, and performing signs. It is another thing altogether to do it yourself. He sent them in twos so they could support each other. One could preach, one could pray for the preacher and interact with the crowd. They could encourage one another in tough times, and compliment each other in ministry.

Why did he tell them to bring only immediate needs? I see a few reasons here. First, he wanted them to see how God provides everything they need while in ministry. “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” (‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭19‬)

Second, he wanted to give those being blessed an opportunity to provide for their needs. When we let others help us, it gives them joy as they are used by God to be a blessing.

Third, lots of belongings can weigh one down and then a person may worry about keeping them safe. They are more agile to serve with fewer things and less likely a target of robbery.

It would have been pretty incredible to be given the power in-person by Jesus, like his disciples were. We are, as devoted followers of Jesus Christ, also given power. The Apostle Paul describes it here: “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his INCOMPARABLY GREAT POWER FOR US who believe. THAT POWER IS THE SAME AS the mighty strength he exerted WHEN HE RAISED CHRIST FROM THE DEAD and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.” (‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭1‬:‭18‬-‭21‬, emphasis mine)

He added in this part about letting their rest set on those who welcomed them and a curse fall on those who do not to call out the truth. God blesses those who help his servants. Those who reject them stand cursed and condemned because of it.

The good news about Jesus is we can repent from a life controlled by evil and sin and receive the free gift of salvation from Jesus — a life of goodness controlled by him.

So when I am sent, I should look for partners in ministry, go quickly and trust God to provide, receive his power and authority to do spiritual battle, and realize some will be blessed and others will choose a curse.

Lord, thank you for your intentional marching orders to your disciples here. You are teaching them to be ministry teams on mission for you. As I am on mission, I want to also follow your instructions in the Bible and your Spirit’s lead in my heart.