Discipleship DNA: Send & Release
Summary: Jesus wasn’t being reckless. He was being resourceful.
Jesus had a bodacious way of training. In Luke 10 he chose 72 disciples, put them into pairs, then released them into the neighboring towns and villages to preach, heal, and cast out demons. I have often wondered over Jesus’ method to train in this way. It seems the odds were high that the disciples might fail miserably.
Jesus’ method may remind us of a person throwing someone into deep water to learn to swim. (Does the word “reckless” come to anyone’s mind?) But Jesus wasn’t being reckless. He was being resourceful. He knew how to multiply his message, the farthest and widest, in the short time he had. Jesus also knew something we did not: he had resources that made releasing a reasonable, strategic step in the expansion of his ministry.
The first resource he gave was his authority – an authority from another kingdom. Like emissaries of a king, the disciples would boldly and confidently proclaim the good news of this king and his kingdom. Unlearned men would declare truths, not with eloquence, but with a confidence in the greatness of the one who sent them.
The second resource he gave was the Holy Spirit. The disciples would lay hands on the sick, but it was the power of God that healed. They would obediently open their mouths to preach, but the words that came were anointed by the Spirit, bringing conviction, repentance and faith. They would confront a demonized situation, but it was the holiness of God that cleansed the soul.
Until we send and release our small groups to preach, heal and cast out demons, we hinder the expansion of Jesus’ ministry. When we embrace Jesus’ bodacious way of training we will release followers of Jesus into the neighboring towns and villages. They will do well. They will not drown because they will have what they need. Releasing and empowerment go together.
