The Community of Christ

By:  Dale Weckbacher

Scriptural Text:  Mark 3:31-35

Mark 3:34-35

³⁴ And looking about at those who sat around him, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! ³⁵ For whoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother.”

(ESV)

The depth to which our relationship with Jesus Christ grows is dependent upon our connection with God through His Word, prayer, and our connection with the community of Christ.  While Satan will place obstacles in the path of any believer when it comes to each of these, connection with other believers seems to present an obstacle for many, especially in the digital age.  While the digital age adds convenience like availability of the Bible on mobile devices, prayer groups on social media, and even live streaming or podcasts of church services, these conveniences can lead to less one-on-one connection.  Hebrews 10:25 reminds believers not to forsake meeting together as this is where believers find encouragement from each other.  This is especially true in times of increasing persecution and ungodliness as the time of Jesus’ return approaches. 

The lack of one-on-one connection in the Body of Christ causes loss of the sense of community within the Church.  It is this sense of community that Jesus is referring to in Mark 3:34-35.  Jesus also knew that the purpose of his mother and brothers seeking Him was not to hear his teaching but a belief that He was out of His mind (Mark 3:21).  Jesus is not purposely ignoring His family but understanding that they do not yet understand totally who He is or His purpose for coming.  This is similar to his parent’s lack of understanding of why he left them at noon to spend time with teachers (Luke 2:41-52).  While Jesus’ human family did not understand His purpose for coming, Jesus knew it was vital to make a connection with the people to demonstrate the power of God and to die for their sins, including the sins of His family who believed He had lost His mind. 

The importance of one-on-one connection with other believers is,

1)      To be ministered to – The reason the Church is referred to in scripture as the Body of Christ is that even though Jesus is real and risen from the dead, he is not on earth in human form (1 Corinthians 12:12-31).  Instead, he sits at the right hand of God the Father and sent the Holy Spirit to dwell in flesh and blood people on earth (Acts 2:32-33).  These Spirit-filled people are the arms and legs of the Lord on earth given the commission of spreading the good news of the Gospel and making disciples (Mark 16:15; Matthew 28;19-20).  Just as fleshly bodies can become weary or sick, our spiritual bodies can also experience fatigue or illness.  While God is our healer, he often accomplishes healing through the Body of Christ.  However, to receive this healing we must connect with the community of Christ. 

2)      To minister to others – It is common to think of ministry as the vocation of one that preaches from the pulpit, but all parts of the Body of Christ have a calling to minister in some capacity.  The capacity to minister for each individual is based upon the gifts God provides (1 Corinthians 12).  However, these gifts go unused if one is not regularly engaged in the community of Christ.  Each person using their God-given gifts is a part of the body with each part contributing to making the Body of Christ function effectively in fulfilling its role of spreading the Gospel and making disciples. 

3)      Encouragement in an ungodly world (Hebrews 10:25) – As the time of the return of Christ approaches, the world seems to turn more ungodly and evil with greater hatred of Christians.  The digital age of instant news can instantly bring discouragement to Christians hearing reports of ungodliness and evil.  However, regular emersion in a Christian community of like-minded people brings needed encouragement to press on with the mission of the Church and our role in ministry. 

4)      Establishing eternal connections – All professing faith in Jesus as their Savior will inherit eternal life.  They will also all be living in heaven with Christ for eternity.  Therefore, the earthly connections we make with other Christians on earth will become eternal connections in eternity.  Why not make some of those connections now by becoming part of the community of Christ. 

Being part of a community of Christians is where like-minded believers gather to minister and receive ministry.  It is where we connect to find encouragement in an ungodly and evil world.  It is also where believers strengthen their connection with Christ and where we begin making eternal connections with others who will be with them for eternity in Heaven.  I encourage everyone reading this to become part of a community of believers in Christ and to find a place to contribute to its ministry and mission of spreading the Gospel.