“And he goeth up into a mountain, and calleth unto him whom he would: and they came unto him. And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach.”
The Few
Notice the actual order named here: that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth. Being with him comes first, deliberately named before sending. Jesus did not skip straight to deployment. He built genuine presence and relationship before any actual sending was ever in view.
This is worth examining against however much your own approach to discipling others has skipped straight to instruction or task, sending before genuine being with has actually happened. This model insists presence comes first, the necessary foundation whatever eventual sending requires.
Notice also calleth unto him whom he would, deliberate, specific choice, not a general invitation extended to everyone equally, but particular selection, worth holding as this whole book’s own starting point, discipleship beginning with genuine, deliberate choosing, not accidental proximity alone.
Whoever you are currently investing in, or hoping to invest in, examine today whether genuine being with has actually preceded whatever sending or instruction you have offered. This first day begins exactly where Jesus began, presence first, deliberately chosen, before any actual sending follows.
Pour Into the Few
- Notice whether you have skipped to instruction before genuine presence with those you disciple.
- Choose deliberately today someone to genuinely be with, not merely instruct from a distance.
- Consider what being with actually requires of your own time and attention this week.
Prayer
Lord, let me be with those you have given me before I send them anywhere. Build genuine presence first, the foundation whatever sending eventually requires. Amen.
Carry this today
Presence comes before sending. Being with is the necessary foundation.