Jesus appointed seventy-two other disciples whom he sent ahead of him in pairs. Why in pairs? As Jesus sends out the disciples he gives them marching orders about what they are to bring, how they are to act, the message they are to deliver. All of which no doubt stood the disciples in good stead as they brought good news into their world. Jesus does not say why they needed to go in pairs but my suspicion is that he wanted them to model an essential aspect of those who would be his followers — forgiveness. Whenever you have two people rubbing up against one another, even those with the best of intentions, you will have the giving and the taking of wounds. For a relationship to last forgiveness must be part of the story (as any married couple!) The paired disciples, therefore, could show to the world that having resentments and holding grudges would bring about the Kingdom of God that they were preaching. Forgiveness is what makes good news possible to hear.
