N.T. Wright wrote of the gospels:
"These are not merely antiquarian documents telling a strange story about a powerful but now long-gone moment of history. They are the moment of sunrise on a new morning, casting a strange glory over the landscape and inviting all readers to wake up, rub the sleep from their eyes, and come out to enjoy the fully dawned day and give themselves to its tasks."
The power of the personality and accomplishments of Jesus created a realm of limitless relational possibilities. The apostles in the beginning and countless others down through history have proven it. Peter and John forged a partnership in the early days of the church that shook Jerusalem and released the power of heaven in a remarkable way. That’s the power of two. Everyone wants to be an influencer, someone effective in life and society. It is virtually impossible to do so alone. You don’t just need Jesus. You need others as well.
It is essential at times to get alone and meet with the Lord, but that by itself won’t transform society. We must bow at the wisdom of Jesus who changed society not just by His spiritual work but also through implementing that change through effective teams. (By spiritual work I refer to the supernatural/spiritual aspects of what we call redemption including the virgin birth, spotless life lived, power of His blood, His death/burial/resurrection and ours with Him. Such a mystery!) But Jesus didn’t stop at affecting things in the eternal realm; He developed relational groups of people who were equipped to function effectively in the world to release the realm of the heavens.
From the Bible we see Jesus had at least three circles of close associates -John, then Peter, James, and John, then the twelve apostles. He and John seemed to have a unique relationship. John laid his head on Jesus breast and referred to himself as ‘the disciple whom Jesus loved’. When Peter wanted to ask Jesus to identify His betrayer he asked John to ask Him. Peter could have asked himself but didn’t. The twelve apostles formed the third group of close associates. Later Jesus appointed seventy-two to precede Him into each town and village. He built teams by demonstrating and forging strong relationships.
Consider the friendship of Peter and John. It is difficult to read Acts chapters 3 & 4 without noticing how frequently their names appear together. It is as though they functioned as one person. After healing the lame man at the temple gate Beautiful the religious authorities apprehended them in an attempt to disrupt their effective ministry together. Here is their conclusion: “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized they had been with Jesus. And seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it” (Acts 4:13-14). Peter and John forged a three fold relational cord with Jesus that could not be stopped.
After being rebuked and released by the authorithe Bible tells us; “And being let go, they went to their own company and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them…” (Acts 4:23). As they rehearsed with their ‘own company’ the miraculous events of the day they all prayed together. The place where they met was literally shaken and once again they were filled by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Find your own company. The Lord has just the right people to join you to. Remember the power of two.