Two by Two

Have you ever seen how children approach each other and ask, “Do you want to be friends?”

Some of the best friendships start with this simple question.

The disciples had seen Jesus work many miracles and had an idea of how He interacted with people. Apparently, they were now ready to go on their own. Jesus commanded them to go before Him, preparing the way for the places He would visit, going “two by two” (Luke 10:1).

They were going to face many dangers, and Jesus gave them advice that is still relevant for us today.

Jesus told them not to go alone. They would go two by two. They would be able to support each other as they shared the good news with those they met. They would point their listeners to their Master.

Jesus did many amazing miracles while on earth. He continues to work in our world through His Spirit. We have seen Him work among us, giving us strength in difficult and bewildering times.

We, too, have been commanded to go and share the good news; and we have discovered many different ways of doing this, especially during lockdowns, stay-at-home orders, and a raging pandemic.

No matter how isolated we may be, however, we are never alone. It’s interesting to notice that Jesus sent them two by two.

Ellen White tells us that one of His purposes for this mission was to show His unchanging love for the people of Samaria.* Jesus had dedicated time to help a number of Samaritans in His ministry, and now the fruits were about to be seen.

Although we may not walk those specific roads today, we are still called to go before Him and show His love to those who are often overlooked and forgotten or even hated.

We can start doing so by following His method and going two by two.

I remember how encouraging it was to visit people in their houses with one of my friends to give Bible studies. When one of us felt tired, the other spoke more. Meanwhile the other sat silently and prayed for the right words and the working of the Holy Spirit. When we felt discouraged or encountered rejection or indifference, it was easier to share the burden and to overcome things together.

I used to wake up very early once a week to visit a friend to pray together about some of the challenges and struggles we or others in our friendship circle were facing.

With a different friend I shared a prayer ministry for various projects in the 10-40 window.

Another friend and I enjoyed reading something every Sabbath, right before sunset, and singing a couple of hymns. We had started that “tradition” when we were much younger.

I have belonged to small Bible study groups that met every week. Each group had a different study focus. One studied Bible prophecies; another read The Desire of Ages; and with the third group we focused on the Gospel of John. We also enjoyed developing mission projects for our own community.

There are many ways in which we can enjoy fellowship, even long distance or online, and go before Him two by two.

Why don’t you approach one of your friends this month and ask him or her: “Do you want to be missionary partners?”

*See Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages (Mountain View, Calif.: Pacific Press Pub. Assn., 1898, 1940), pp. 485-496.