Immediately on the heels of Jesus saying,
For the harvest in plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefor pray earnestly to the Lord of harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.
He, the Lord of the harvest, sends out the twelve!
This bit of the Gospel is crucial for us to appreciate. Jesus sends them out on mission. Jesus sends us out on mission. There is no church without mission, and it requires focus.
He gives them focus. I want to suggest you do not have to do everything the twelve did. It is interesting to look at them, and see if these is point that we, as we seek to go, should consider.
Let’s take a look.
First, in verses 5 and 6 he sets their focus, the house of Israel. Later on they will go to the rest of the world, but for now they have this very specific focus. A specific focus will lead to all sorts decisions about how to best approach those you seek to reach.
POINT #1: WHAT IS THE FOCUS OF YOUR MISSION FIELD: DO YOU HAVE ONE & DOES IT HELP YOU DETERMINE YOUR BEST APPROACH?
Second, in verses 7 and 8 he sets their message. They are to preach the King of Heaven is at hand. They are to heal, cleanse and cast out. Interesting how narrow the assignment which he has given them.
POINT #2: WHAT IS FOCUS OF YOUR MESSAGE? ARE YOU TRYING TO SOLVE ALL THE ILLS OF THE WORLD, OR IS YOUR MESSAGE DIALED IN?
Third, in the last part of verse 8 through 15 he gives them their business model:
1. MONEY: Listen to these rapid-fire orders: give freely, don’t take money, don’t pack a large bag, nor staff. Expect others to provide. I am not saying this has to be your model. What is needed is to be clear on how you fund your mission.
2. WHO TO PURSUE: The target group, the house of Israel has already been established. Within that group, how far do you go? Jesus tells them simply to go with the people who receive the message. In fact to those who receive, offer your peace to their entire household.
3. WHO NOT TO PURSUE: Further, do not waste your time on those who do not respond. When you think about the mission, you would think it might be justifiable to keep pursuing. Jesus however knows that they (and we) have limited time and energy—so use it wisely. Don’t confuse this with not going after the one lost sheep (while leaving the ninety-nine). He is saying, if you found the one lost sheep, and after you go to all the effort to save them, they don’t want to be saved, well, move on.
POINT #3: WHAT IS YOUR MODEL? IS IT FOCUSED, OR DO YOU DRIFT FROM IT FOR SHORT TERM GAINS?
Fourth, in verses 16 through 18 he makes clear that the mission will bring reaction. The more the results, the more the reaction. In fact, beware of men, they will hand you over and have you beaten. Don’t be surprised.
POINT #4: WITH FOCUS, COME RESULTS AND…REACTION
When it comes to mission, Jesus, as he sends them out, he does so in what feels like conversation. Yet he intentionally gives them focus, and the focus frees them to be effective.
Where are you with being on mission for Jesus? Who are you seeking to reach?