Enjoying the Fellowship

As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.” Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.” “We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered. “Bring them here to me,” he said. -Matthew 14:15-18

During His earthly ministry Jesus demonstrated for us the value of sitting down to a good meal and enjoying the company of other people. The Bible says that followers of Christ continued this tradition and made a practice of coming together just as they had seen modeled by Jesus. Acts 2:46 is a reminder that, “Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts.” The early church recognized the importance of taking time from the daily routine of life to take pleasure in one another’s company. Those gatherings were joyful events long remembered by all present. In the midst of the stressful lives most of us live it is imperative that we make time to pause from the pressures we face and unwind for a little while. Most congregations realize this and structure into their ministries opportunities for fellowship.

Jesus did not intend for His followers to function in isolation. He established the church so that we might have the resources to accomplish our mission of taking the gospel to others. All that we do as part of the church should have a definite aim: leading people to faith in Jesus Christ. Hand in hand with this mission is the aspect of encouraging those around us toward a deeper walk with Christ. As we let the light of Christ shine forth from our lives, others will be inspired to that level of commitment. Once attained, however, they won’t want to stop there. They, along with us, will desire a closer connection with the one whom we call Savior and Lord.

Let us never isolate ourselves from those who most need to hear the message of Christ's love. They are all around us. Resolve to reach out to others in Jesus' name.

(From, "The Invitation: Embracing a Happier Life," by Dan Birchfield, copyright 2009)