Mark 6:1-13

“And He called the twelve to Himself, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them power over unclean spirits.” (Mark 6:7, NKJV)

Once, Jesus said that the harvest is plentiful and the laborers are few. Therefore, His followers should pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest field. Now Jesus sent out the twelve, preparing them to continue His work after He was gone.

First, He called them to Himself. Any success we achieve in ministry only comes by abiding in Christ.

“I am the vine; you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5, NKJV)

Second, He sent them out in pairs. He knew that it was unwise for them to be alone. They needed a comrade to fight spiritual battles. They needed a companion to strategize and plan their course. Ministry and missions are only effective in fellowship.

Third, they needed authority to overcome the work of Satan. Jesus gave them power over unclean spirits to discern them and to cast them out. While we may not meet many who are demon-possessed, we all know someone who is in the grip of Satan through sin, deception, or demonic strongholds. We have spiritual weapons that are mighty in God for pulling down strongholds and casting down arguments that exalt themselves against God (2 Corinthians 10:3-6).

By abiding in Christ, staying in fellowship, and using spiritual weapons, we have everything we need to be effective workers in the Lord’s harvest field.

“Heavenly Father, thank you for equipping us in Christ to do your work. Help us not be afraid to go out into the world and complete our mission. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.”