My husband’s serious illness left him weak. But when a physical therapist prescribed exercises to grow strong again, Dan showed little interest. Then one day I did the exercises with him. “We’re growing strong!” I told him, lifting my arms and laughing. Soon, he was laughing too as we did three sets of the strength-building routines—surprised we both enjoyed working together to do what had at first seemed hard.

Jesus modeled best the profound power of working together on a difficult job. While going around teaching “from village to village,” He summoned His twelve disciples and “began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over impure spirits” (Mark 6:6-7).

Going alone, the Twelve might’ve traveled faster or farther. But while engaging in their tough assignment, they were far more effective working in pairs. They could see and correct each other’s mistakes, counter any idleness or indifference, and encourage each other to action.

Then as they went, preaching that “people should repent. . . . they drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them” (vv. 12-13). Together, their power was multiplied, and not just by two. Empowered in Christ by the Holy Spirit, they drove out afflictions, healing all manner of ills in Jesus’ name. As my husband and I learned, two are better than one, especially in Christ.