Luke 10:1-17 (NKJV) shares how Jesus appointed 70 disciples to go on ahead of him in pairs to the towns and places he wanted to go. I think this reading has several illustrations for us as business people and marketers.
The fact that he “sent them on ahead of him” is sort of like getting messages out to build awareness of you and to prepare the audience for the offering you’ll be launching.
Rather than just springing an offering on people, it’s more effective to begin to share content — blog posts, videos, podcast episodes, and social media posts — on the subject of your offer.
You have to prepare people even if the offer is something for free. You have to get them ready to want to learn more.
Jesus used His disciples . In addition to the content sharing strategies I mentioned, you could work with referral partners or even hire people to represent you.
Big brands pay bloggers and spokespeople to talk about their offerings. So there are lots of ways to get your message out that range from low tech to high tech; low touch to high touch; and self-directed to other-directed.
In this section of Luke, Jesus gave the 70 disciples instructions to go to one house and stay there. They weren’t to move from house to house and they were to eat or drink whatever was put in front of them. Meaning, don’t worry about whether it fits the dietary laws and restrictions.
I think this relates to business in several ways.
First of all, I think it relates to staying on message. Don’t bounce from message to message. Eating and drinking whatever is in front of them means be accommodating and respectful.
Remember, Jesus stressed that whatever went into the body goes into the stomach and would be eliminated. But whatever is spoken comes from the heart. So I think that relates to creating a message that’s consistent with your brand essence and to stay true to yourself.
Then Jesus goes on to tell them that if they’re not welcome they’re to shake the dust from their feet and leave.
I can see this relating to taking your message (and your skills) to others who will gladly receive it and not worry about those who don’t. Like “preaching to the choir”.
Yes, we should consider tweaking our message so it resonates with those we’re trying to reach, but the core message resonates with those who are ready to hear it and ready to receive it.
So “go on your way”. Share your core message from a place of service and love but also be true to yourself and your business while staying in alignment with your faith and values.
