Christmas #3: He is Community

He is Community

[He is community?  Come on, Ben, now you're just picking words that sound nice and trendy.]

Let me expand this statement.  Jesus encompasses a community.  The way He is experienced by His followers is through community.  We've made a big deal about a "personal relationship" with our Savior, but it's important to remember that you don't get the Savior -- the Head -- without His Body.  And His Body is a community.  To say that the Church is the Body of Christ isn't merely to say that we (the Church) reach out to the world as an extension of Him (cue 90's Audio Adrenaline); it means that within the community of believers, we experience Christ together through interaction, and it's only in this way that we fully know, experience, learn from, and receive from Him.  Your body wouldn't be much use to you if each body part had a mind of its own and went its own way.

Now, to be real, I'm just as guilty as most introverts or people my age of being "individualistic" with my Christianity and flying solo much of the time.  Part of that is because I have to go far out of my way to put myself in social situations (yay for being in your 20's, single, and out of school...NOT!) .  But this is part of why I'm part of a ComGroup that meets weekly.  When you're at a stage of life where community is difficult, you just need keep your eyes open for opportunities and also just become a "Yes Man" when it comes to being social with Christians.

Jesus spent the time of His ministry in community.  12 disciples... that's kind of a lot.  Not to mention the hundreds of followers that He had throughout those ministry years.  He values community more than He does individuality -- (and I know that can be tough to swallow since we're taught to love ourselves so much and all these excuses are being made for introverts to continue to be secluded, but trust me, there's something special and life-giving about being in Christ-centered community).  Community isn't just about learning together, but also suffering together, rejoicing together, and loving together.  Put on Christ, and watch as He shifts your heart to a place of prioritizing relationships and community.

Colossians 1:24
I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church,

John 13:35
By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another



EDIT - 12/18/13 - I missed a huge opportunity here to talk about the Trinity.  This is huge.  God exists as a community - Father, Son, Spirit.  Humans desire relationships above all things, because we've been made in the image of a relational, communal God.

Thanks for reading my blog :)  We're only just getting started!  There's so much awesomeness to explore in Jesus, and I've only scratched the surface.  This one is admittedly a little more "teachy" or obligatory-sounding, so hang with me for some special ones still to come.

P.S. photo credit for the seagulls goes to Kirby Trapolino.

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