Sharing the Life of Christ Together

Do you ever wonder what it was that Jesus was doing with the twelve disciples that eventually he sent out as workers for Him?

When you look at a lot of what he talked about, it was nothing else than teaching them how to be together centered around Him.

First, of course, He had to help them to see who He was and believe in Him. Not a head belief, but to cast their entire being onto Him in trust.

But from there, it was always about how to be brethren together. What do you think the 12 were? Some guys Jesus simply gave a title to? Not at all. This was a new Israel Jesus was giving birth to. That's why there were 12 of them. It was full of significance that he was now introducing the true Israel, the Spiritual Israel - the Israel that would have Jesus live within them by the Spirit. That is the true Israel of God.

Within that thought is not what was most important though. He was teaching them how to live together centered around Him. That's why He would tell them things like if they wanted to be the greatest, then they must be a servant of all. That's why he served them when they last ate together before He died, as an example to how they should live amongst one another.

All the things that they had learned how to do together, is what they would eventually pass on to those they would live in community with together. It was togetherness centered in Christ that was what was learned, and what would be passed on. One of the last things Jesus said to them was that they should love one another like He had loved them; that they should lay down their lives for one another.

You can only do that be being together; by living close together. That's how the church was birthed through Christ. All of them living and laying down their lives for one another centered around nothing but loving Jesus Christ their husband as His bride.

What more could a people want then to share the life of Christ together on a daily basis? When it comes down to it, it's all that He wants!

The Seed Within

Mark recorded one of the most important insights that Jesus offered us when He said concerning the disciples not understanding the the parable of the sower, that if they didn't understand that, than how could they understand any parables? In other words, How could they understand the kingdom of God, which the parable talks about?

Right before he made the comments, Jesus told them that the secret of the kingdom of God had been given to them. Who was them? It wasn't only the twelve, but the account includes the others. It's always those that are centered around Christ.

Concerning the Kingdom, remember that Jesus also said that the Kingdom of God was within us. That's what this parable is talking about.

Jesus is that seed; the kingdom of God planted within us. One thing to understand about this seed is that it is absolutely perfect. The seed cannot be improved upon - he lives within those that believe.

The issue is never the seed, it's always the ground. That's why Jesus said that if they didn't understand this parable, they could never understand the rest of them either. It always has to do with the heart of God's people as to how much of the seed of Christ will grow and be fruitful.
Again, remember that the Jesus is that seed and he is a perfect seed.

Does this mean that through straining to have a good heart we can make this happen? No! But, when Jesus initiates Himself within us, we have the opportunity to respond. That response only can come because of the Lord Himself - only He can empower us ... but we must give Him room to.

All we can do is ask Him to keep our hearts open and encourage and remind one another to keep our hearts open to Him within us - and to Him within one another.

This is the story of how the bride emerges out of Christ. She came out of Him and He then dwelt within her and shines forth from within her to show forth all that He is. It all starts from seed being planted within good ground.