by RTF Staff Writer Derek Hanisch

In all of my years of life, I’ve learned one fact (well, hopefully a bit more than just the one!): There is no better way to get to know a group of people than to be shoved onto a van, bus, car, whatever vehicle of choice, and travel across the country.

I’ve had the opportunity to experience the joy of traveling with a group cross-country a few times, most recently on a charter bus full of college kids as we drove thirty hours from Minnesota to Florida for a spring break mission trip.

I remember one particular moment, at about 4am ,when practically everyone was passed out in what looked to be some very uncomfortable positions, whether sprawled out across the seats or rolled into a ball on the floor.

As I was looking around, I found myself thinking about how, as Christians, we have something special: a place to belong. We have this Community of other Believers that will always be there to take care of each other, and have each other’s backs.

One of my favorite stories in the Bible happens in Mark 2. Jesus is preaching in a house that is just full of people listening. A couple of guys have a paralyzed friend and decide that they want to bring him to see this Jesus. The only way to get in, though, is to climb up on the roof, dig a hole, and lower their friend through it.

This is a pretty intense story. When I imagine it, I can just see the paralytic man saying, “Guys, this isn’t a good idea. Guys, let’s go back. Guys! GUYS!” But still he’s lowered down to see Jesus.

I love what verse five says: “Seeing their [the friends'] faith, Jesus told the paralytic, ‘Son, your sins are forgiven’” (Mark 2:5, HCSB). If you read on you’ll see that this leads to Jesus healing the man.

Those are some powerful words. Jesus saw the faith of the man’s friends and healed him. I think this teaches us a lot about Christian community. Jesus cares about how we feel about our friends. When we go all out for our friends, Jesus notices. This shows us that having fellowship with other Believers, and a community with them, is very important indeed.