Gradual Release of Responsibility

The story of Jesus sending out the disciples two by two is a compelling illustration of vocation culture and the sharing of responsibility. It’s treated fairly succinctly in Mark’s gospel, but if we take a moment to appreciate what’s happening here, the story actually offers a profound lesson trust, independence, and shared mission.

At first glance, Jesus sending the disciples off to work in pairs seems to be an action merely born of necessity: Jesus is simply stretched too thinly, right? Not enough Son of God to go around. But if we stop and think about what we know about Jesus, this is an unlikely explanation. Jesus may be human, but if the needs are real, there’s a miracle for that. Rather, Jesus, in his wisdom, understands that the Kingdom can and must be built by everyone. His sending of his followers out to do just that is a significant lesson in understanding vocations: it’s not about the inability of the leader to do everything, but about empowering others to share in the mission.

What is particularly compelling about this passage is the clear depiction of Jesus as teacher. Now, let’s be honest, most of us associate the notion of Jesus as teacher with a mental picture of him sitting on a rock, talking to a group of eager listeners seated round him in a semicircle (like in every Gospel picture book ever published). This is a more subtle example, however, yet it speaks volumes to anyone who has ever taken a methods class in Education. What we see, right here, is the tried-and-true Gradual Release of Responsibility. This nifty little step-by-step process is a learning framework in which the teacher first models the task [I do it while you watch], then works together with the students [we do it together], and finally lets them take the lead [you do it on your own].

This gospel passage echoes that moment in teaching when the students are ready to take on the task independently. Jesus, with a blend of trust and encouragement, essentially says to his disciples, “Ok, gang. You’ve watched what I do. You’ve done it beside me. Now it’s your turn. You’ve got this. Go do it.” He passes the responsibility on to them, and like any good teacher, he remains available if someone needs help, has questions, or misunderstands the assignment. (Spoiler alert: it’s usually Peter.)

Even as he affirms their readiness, Jesus also prepares his disciples for rejection, warning them that there are some places where people will refuse them and their efforts. This advice is crucial for anyone in a vocation. It acknowledges that not everyone will accept what we are doing, and that’s okay. The mission continues despite rejection.

And the warning is helpful in that it reminds us that setbacks are part of the package deal. Countless times in our vocations, we will encounter people who will be quite keen to point out that we are not Jesus. (Pro tip: don’t say the “Thanks, Captain Obvious,” part out loud.) For them, only the original authority will do. This can be disheartening, but it also underscores the importance of perseverance and faithfulness to the mission. Jesus tells us to shake the dust off our feet and keep going.

But in moments like these, when we have trouble with the task, it’s reassuring to remember that the mission doesn’t rely solely on us.  Jesus sends out a bunch of disciples, and none of them alone. We are part of a collective effort, each of us entrusted with the work of building the kingdom. We have people to work with, walk with, commiserate with, celebrate with, and rest with. And if we need a bit of extra help, the teacher is always nearby.

And so, what’s the lesson in all of this? We are all worthy of our vocations. We’ve learned everything we know from Master teacher himself, and he has faith in our abilities. “You’ve watched what I do. You’ve done it beside me. Now it’s your turn. You’ve got this. Go do it.”

By Darcie Lich