The Way is not easy, Jesus said.  He invited people to follow him; he did not force or compel them to do so.

There were many who heard what Jesus said and saw what he did. People were inspired and intrigued, but for many that was the depth of their involvement.  Some people dropped everything to be part of Christ’s group. Others would not let go of their desires and agendas.  They saw who was in the group and just wouldn’t join in.    

Too often, I hear people say that they “can’t” or “won’t” be in a group with someone else. They can’t stand their personality, their viewpoint, their voice.  In groups we are vulnerable to guilt-by-association. We could catch another’s “cooties.” We are exposed to their comments, actions and behaviors.  We can feel rubbed the wrong way or deeply cut.  We can want to walk away, write people off, even condemn them to eternal fire. The Apostle Paul warned the early church against saying we don’t want or need others in our group, and desiring to amputate or excommunicate them from the Body (I Corinthians 12). 

The Kingdom of God is about the healing of all of us. The Kingdom of God calls and compels us to relate even to those we deeply oppose. We are not to turn away. God has come to sit us down with each other like lions and lambs, wolves and sheep, bear and bull. This effort will challenge all of us, but as God’s wisdom points out: “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” (Proverbs 27:17). To be a Christian is to be intently and intentionally in community with others. We need certain things — not just to be healthy Christians but to be Christians at all. Our spirit requires Christian fellowship, encouragement, witness, instruction and accountability. This is what being involved in the daily and weekly life of a local church is meant to be according to the Bible. The fact that the vast majority of us (over 75 percent) do not engage in Christian community this way is sobering. 

The days leading up to Easter are drawing close. To walk closer with Christ means we will also walk closer together as Christians. To live together this way is not easy; to turn away from each other and go our own way is not Christian. God help us live the Way of Christ.

REV. MICHAEL KENDALL is lead pastor of Farmville United Methodist Church. His email mkendall@farmvilleumc.org.