Walking with Others

Ed Welch in his book Side by Side: Walking with Others in Wisdom and Love writes,

“Yet weakness— or neediness— is a valuable asset in God’s community. Jesus introduced a new era in which weakness is the new strength. Anything that reminds us that we are dependent on God and other people is a good thing. Otherwise, we trick ourselves into thinking that we are self-sufficient, and arrogance is sure to follow. We need help, and God has given us his Spirit and each other to provide it.”[1]

Jesus Set the Example

When can see the truth of the above statement on the pages of scripture. Even Jesus chose to do life with a group of people. Jesus was alone rarely during his public ministry.  When he was, he was praying or on rare occasions having a private conversation with an individual (Nicodemus and the woman at the well). The only other time Jesus was alone was when he was arrested. Jesus was always with the disciples and for that matter, with other people. He spent time with people on the road, and in their homes, and out in the fields. He made relationships a priority.

The Protection of Life with Others

Jesus didn’t send the disciples out on their own. He always sent them out two by two (Mark 6:7-9). And when he was preparing them for a time when he would no longer be present, he told them to prioritize their relationships with each other. Read the following verse and take note of the theme.

John 13:34–35 says,

³⁴ “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. ³⁵ By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

John 15:9–13

⁹ “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. ¹⁰ If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. ¹¹ I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. ¹² My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. ¹³ Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

John 15:15–17 (NIV)

¹⁵ I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. ¹⁶ You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. ¹⁷ This is my command: Love each other.

Later Jesus prayed for his disciples, and one might argue for everyone who would choose to follow him regardless of time and place. His prayers are recorded in John 17.

John 17:11 (NIV)

¹¹ I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them [my disciples] by the power of your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one.

Furthermore, Jesus prayed…

John 17:15 (NIV)

¹⁵ My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.

Unity and Safety

Jesus prayed for their unity and for their protection. One could easily argue that their protection was twofold. It was their relationships with each other and the protection of the Holy Spirit.

Reflection

1. Who are 2-3 people that can be a part of an inner circle of friendship, accountability, encouragement, and spiritual growth?
2. What would it mean to you to have a group of trusted people to walk through life with?
3. If trusting people is hard to assess, what are the circumstances that have caused me to struggle with trusting people? How might God bring healing to that area?
4. What does it look like for you to personalize and apply the scriptures you read earlier?

Prayer Prompt

Father, help me to make the most of the relationships around me by finding other people who will walk the Christian walk with me.

[1] Welch, Edward T.. Side by Side: Walking with Others in Wisdom and Love (p. 12). Crossway. Kindle Edition.