We Need Each Other

We need each other. The Lord knew that and taught that. Let's look at a few Bible passages that show that to us. "No man is an island." No, scratch that. That isn't the Bible. That was John Donne around 1600 AD.

Jesus began his ministry by gathering 12 men around him. These were men who would live with Him, learn from Him and carry on His work after He was gone. That there were twelve relates to the 12 tribes of Israel as well as 1)there would be a great amount of work to be done in the years ahead, and 2)there was a need for witnesses, men who had "accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us.....(and) become a witness with us of His resurrection," (Acts 1:21,22). As great as Jesus was, He needed these men. We see Him developing close friends; note His love for Martha, Mary, and Lazarus (John 11:5) and His special relationship with the apostle John (John 20:2).

In the Garden of Gethsemane just before Jesus is taken captive, judged and killed, Jesus greatly needed the support of His friends. In Mark 14, He said to them, "My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch."

So far the teaching seems rather easy, but here is one that is not. James 5 says, "Confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed."

For sure, the Bible is clear that we need each other on an individual basis, as friends, and as supporters. But the teaching is clear that we need to be bound together as a "church" as well. Let's get the best out of this life that we can. And much of it comes from the association with God's people. Have a good week!

I will be away for 2 weeks. The computer goes with me, so hopefully I will get to post here and the blog goes uninterrupted. If not, come back in a couple of weeks. Thanks for reading.