It is not good to be alone

Meeting together.

Arabic

It's important to meet up with other Christians. They can encourage us, help us, pray with us. and support us.

God does things with people in groups that he doesn’t do on our own.

And we can meet in homes or at a café if it is hard to visit a church service.

In John 20:19-22, when Jesus walked through a wall to visit his remaining disciples after his resurrection,

Three significant things happened.

He showed the scars on his hands and side. Then he commissioned them by telling them: ‘As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.”

Then he breathed on them and said: ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.’

Missed opportunities

Now, Thomas was not there. So, he missed out. He didn’t see Jesus, receive the Holy Spirit or receive Jesus’ commission.

I wonder if he regretted that. I would have done.

John 20 goes on to say that Jesus returned a week later. And although he helped Thomas overcome his doubts, he didn’t breathe on him or commission him.

So, Thomas lost out permanently because he did not stay with the other disciples.

That’s why Hebrews 10:25 says: ‘Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have made a habit, but let us encourage one another, all the more as you can see the great day coming closer.’

That instruction is there for a reason.

Cleland Thom

Cleland helps to lead a prayer mission, based in the south of England.