That Long Driveway

Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, went from town to town, place to place telling people about Jesus and helping to strengthen some of the first churches. Did you notice he seldom went alone? Paul almost always traveled with other Christians, such as John Mark, Barnabas, Silas, and Timothy. Ever wonder why Paul might have done this?

When Jesus started His ministry on earth, it wasn’t long before He chose twelve followers to go with Him as He taught people, healed many, cast out demons, and performed miracles. After they had been with Him for quite some time, Jesus “summoned the Twelve and began to send them out in pairs†(Mark 6:7).

After Jesus died, rose again, and ascended, His followers continued to follow the model He’d given them. Almost every time an apostle went to preach and teach about Jesus’ great gift of salvation, someone went with them. Occasionally a disciple would go out alone, like when God sent Phillip to meet an Ethiopian official searching for God’s truth (Acts 8). But usually, when God called Christians to go somewhere, they went in pairs or groups.

In Paul’s letters to churches, he often expressed what an encouragement his traveling companions were. And Christians throughout history have valued community, even observing that we are more vulnerable to the enemy’s attacks when we are isolated from each other.

Perhaps this is one of the reasons God instructs us to spend time with other believers, learning God’s words and worshipping Him together. Having fellow Christians alongside you, people who feel about Jesus the same way you do, is a huge help and encouragement. God designed us for community, and He knows we need each other, to strengthen and comfort one another, especially when the going gets tough. Because each believer has the Holy Spirit living in them, God can work through fellow Christians to speak to and uplift us. God is always with us, and one of the ways He is with us is through other Christians. That’s why it is always best to have believers beside you who will walk this long road with you. • Anna M. Gregory

• Who are fellow Christians in your life? What might it look like for you to encourage each other as you seek to follow Jesus?

• If you’d like to read more about how the first Christians followed God together, check out the book of Acts in the Bible.

Carry one another’s burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2 (CSB)

Read Verses:

Matthew 25:14-29; Luke 16:1-15