Together

“On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you!’”
John 20:19

It had been a horrible few days. On Friday they had watched their friend and teacher, the one they thought was the Messiah brutally beaten and crucified. Some of them had fled and those that remained were together. Hold up together out of fear and grief. Jesus had told them but they didn’t get it. Then all of a sudden He is there with them, the locked doors hadn’t stopped Him, the Romans hadn’t stopped Him, death hadn’t stopped Him. He was with them giving them peace.

Humans were never meant to be alone - when Adam was alone God said it wasn’t good (Genesis 2:18). The church was built on people being together in the name of Jesus the Christ. Acts 2:1 says: “When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place.” Later in the same chapter we read that the believers were together - the met together, ate together, prayed together, and worshipped together… “And the Lord added to their number daily” (Acts 2:47). The apostles never traveled alone they were always together with someone.

When we stand together in life and prayer - faint hearts are strengthened, burdens are shared, blessings are celebrated and when we fall, someone is there to help us up. In the book of Hebrews we read “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit if doing, but let us encourage one another…” (v. 25).

We were made for relationship, we need each other. Whether you are in the midst of a storm or on the mountain top make sure you are not on the journey alone. As followers of Christ we need to be together often… it one of the ways His kingdom grows.

Jesus was in their midst when they were together. Jesus told them they would have power when they were together. He said, “For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them” (Matt. 18:20).

A prayer
Father – Thank you for putting people in our lives who help us grow, who help and encourage us when we are down. Who celebrate with us when things are good. Thank for Your promise of being with us when we are together in Your Son’s name. May we be together more than just on Sunday mornings. Help us in the busy world we live in make time to be together and to invite You to join us. In the name of Jesus, Amen.