Jesus Sends Out the Seventy

How Jesus Embodied Faithfulness Here

Jesus demonstrates profound faithfulness through his systematic preparation and empowerment of the seventy disciples for ministry. His faithfulness is evident first in his deliberate expansion of the mission beyond the twelve apostles—he "appointed other seventy also" to share in the work of proclaiming the kingdom. This reveals Jesus's faithful commitment to building a sustainable movement that could reach every corner of his territory.

The Master's faithfulness shines through his careful instruction. He doesn't send them unprepared but provides specific guidelines for their conduct: "Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way." In first-century Palestine, this radical simplicity would have marked them as completely dependent on God's provision rather than human resources. Jesus faithfully prepares them for both acceptance and rejection, giving them exact words to speak in each situation.

Perhaps most remarkably, Jesus demonstrates faithfulness by sharing his own authority with these relatively new disciples. He tells them to heal the sick and proclaim that "the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you." In the cultural context of ancient Jewish society, where religious authority was carefully guarded by established institutions, Jesus faithfully extends divine power to ordinary followers. His declaration that "He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me" represents the ultimate expression of faithful delegation—he stakes his own reputation on their mission.

Jesus also shows faithfulness in his honest assessment of the mission's challenges. He warns them, "I send you forth as lambs among wolves," refusing to sugar-coat the difficulties they'll face. This honest preparation demonstrates faithful love—he cares more about their success than their initial comfort. His severe words about Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum reveal his faithfulness to truth, even when that truth brings judgment to places that had witnessed his mighty works yet remained unchanged.

Following His Example

Living out Christ-like faithfulness today begins with our willingness to prepare others for ministry rather than hoarding responsibility for ourselves. Like Jesus appointing seventy beyond the twelve, we must faithfully identify and equip emerging leaders in our spheres of influence. This might mean a business owner systematically training employees for greater responsibility, a parent gradually releasing decision-making authority to maturing children, or a church member investing time in discipling newer believers rather than simply attending services.

Faithfulness also requires honest preparation of those we lead or mentor. Jesus didn't promise the seventy an easy journey—he told them they were "lambs among wolves." When we're training someone for a difficult role, faithful love demands we prepare them for real challenges rather than offering false encouragement. A mentor should honestly discuss the struggles of starting a business, the difficulties of marriage, or the spiritual battles that accompany growth in faith.

Finally, faithful delegation means sharing not just tasks but actual authority. Jesus didn't send the seventy to distribute flyers about his upcoming appearances—he empowered them to heal and proclaim the kingdom themselves. This requires genuine trust and the willingness to let others potentially fail. A faithful parent allows their teenager to make increasingly significant decisions. A faithful manager gives team members real decision-making power, not just busy work. The risk of delegation is the price of faithful leadership.

Echoes in Other Traditions

This principle of faithful preparation and empowerment of others for spiritual and ethical mission resonates across religious and philosophical traditions. Whether through the Buddhist concept of the spiritual teacher faithfully transmitting dharma, the Islamic emphasis on trustworthy stewardship, or the Confucian ideal of the sage preparing successors, humanity's wisdom traditions consistently emphasize that true faithfulness involves raising up others to carry forward important work.