Jesus’ front men

Years ago, when I worked with a CPA firm, I was asked to accompany an evangelist and members of his staff to another city where he was preparing for a big evangelistic crusade. My part involved organizing financial accountability systems and opening a bank account for the event. We held meetings with local pastors and leaders, and did the advance preparatory work necessary for a crusade like this. As they say in event planning, we were “front men” getting things ready for the big event.

Dr. Luke tells us Jesus employed front men for his operation, too. He sent seventy men in small groups to towns he was planning to visit to prepare them for his arrival. But they didn’t set up bank accounts and do administrative work. They didn’t invite pastors to lunch and try to convince them to bring bus-loads of their people to a crusade. Luke tells us Jesus instructed them to make friends, heal the sick, and talk about the kingdom.

What an introduction! No doubt by the time Jesus made it to those towns the pump was primed for fruitful work because the front men had gotten their attention.

I want you to notice the difference between our modern front work and what Jesus told his men to do. This is instructive. My evangelist friend planned a big crusade hoping to attract large crowds to the big coliseum for a few nights. The emphasis was, “come to this program where we will sing and preach about Jesus.” We were thinking marketing and getting the turnout. Got to have the numbers! Got to pay the bills! As I recall, it didn’t quite work out the way my evangelist friend hoped it would. It was a big disappointment.

Jesus’ front men had an entirely different approach. Jesus told them to go ahead of him without money or change of clothes. Stay in homes and form relationships. Heal the sick (notice he didn’t say “take prayer requests”). Talk about the kingdom and tell them it is near.

It occurs to me we are front men for the kingdom, too. The same instructions Jesus gave his original front men apply to us as well. Here they are . . .

First, form new friendships. There is no doubt the kingdom is advanced by attracting people into learning relationships so that they grow to maturity in Christ.

While you are at it, heal the sick. Now that will get their attention! In Jesus’ time healing and deliverance always demonstrated the truth of the kingdom. They still do.

After you have gained their trust in relationship, and captured their attention through healing, then tell them the Good News of God’s kingdom.

That’s what Jesus’ front men do.