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  EXPOSITORY THOUGHTS ON MARK - MARK 6:7-13
  by J.C. Ryle
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CONTENT
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These verses describe the first sending forth of the apostles to preach.
The great Head of the church made proof of His ministers, before He left
them alone in the world. He taught them to try their own powers of
teaching, and to find out their own weaknesses, while He was yet with
them. Thus, on the one hand, He was enabled to correct their mistakes.
Thus, on the other, they were trained for the work they were one day to
do, and were not novices, when finally left to themselves. Well would it
be for the church, if all ministers of the Gospel were prepared for
their duty in like manner, and did not so often take up their office
untried, unproved, and inexperienced.

Let us observe, in these verses, how our Lord Jesus Christ sent forth
His apostles "two by two." Mark is the only evangelist who mentions this
fact. It is one that deserves especial notice.

There can be no doubt that this fact is meant to teach us the advantages
of Christian company to all who work for Christ. The wise man had good
reason for saying, "Two are better than one." (Eccles. 4:9.) Two men
together will do more work than two men singly. They will help one
another in judgment, and commit fewer mistakes. They will aid one
another in difficulties, and less often fail of success. They will stir
one another up when tempted to idleness, and less often relapse into
indolence and indifference. They will comfort one another in times of
trial, and be less often cast down. "Woe to him that is alone when he
falls; for he has not another to help him up." (Eccles. 4:10.)

It is probable that this principle is not sufficiently remembered in the
church of Christ in these latter days. The harvest is undoubtedly great
all over the world, both at home and abroad. The laborers are
unquestionably few, and the supply of faithful men far less than the
demand. The arguments for sending out men "one by one," under existing
circumstances, are undeniably strong and weighty. But still the conduct
of our Lord in this place is a striking fact. The fact that there is
hardly a single case in the Acts, where we find Paul or any other
apostle working entirely alone, is another remarkable circumstance. It
is difficult to avoid the conclusion, that if the rule of going forth
"two and two" had been more strictly observed, the missionary field
would have yielded larger results than it has.

One thing at all events is clear, and that is the duty of all workers
for Christ to work together and help one another whenever they can. "As
iron sharpens iron, so does the countenance of a man his friend."
Ministers and missionaries, and district visitors, and Sunday school
teachers, should take opportunities for meeting, and taking sweet
counsel together. The words of Paul contain a truth which is too much
forgotten--"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward
love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in
the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more
as you see the Day approaching." (Heb. 10:24, 25.)

Let us observe, in the second place, what solemn words our Lord uses
about those who will not receive nor hear His ministers. He says, "it
shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment
than for that city."

This is a truth which we find very frequently laid down in the Gospels.
It is painful to think how entirely it is overlooked by many. Thousands
appear to suppose, that so long as they go to church, and do not murder,
or steal, or cheat, or openly break any of God\

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/jc-ryle/expository-thoughts-on-mark-mark-67-13/
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