Before His ultimate sacrifice on the cross, Jesus redefined the concept of selflessness and love in the context of friendship. His act of self-sacrifice was not an abstract expression of love toward a faceless humanity but a deeply personal demonstration of profound love for His friends – individuals with names, lives, and hearts. Jesus willingly gave His life for us.

Community is a powerful force that can cultivate courage in our lives. Community is not limited to the dinner table; it can thrive in unexpected places such as mission fields or while serving those in need. Some of the strongest bonds are often formed in the most unlikely settings. When we invest ourselves in life-giving communities, they nurture the courage we need to fulfill our God-given calling.

Discipleship, the journey of becoming more like Christ, involves transformation and growth. Community plays a vital role in this process. When Jesus called His disciples, He didn’t merely invite them to a set of teachings or principles; He called them into relationships. These relationships, nurtured within the community, serve as a crucible where God shapes and prepares us for His kingdom. 

God calls us to the challenging task of loving our neighbor as ourselves. This command is impossible to fulfill in isolation. In a community, we are stretched and challenged to love imperfect people, just as Jesus did. Jesus’ closest relationships were with ordinary, imperfect individuals, and in the context of community, we too can learn to love as He did – reaching beyond ourselves in sacrificial love.

True love involves self-sacrifice, giving of ourselves for the well-being of others. It’s in the community that we have the opportunity to put this love into practice and develop the courage to lay down our lives, not only in grand acts but in the small, daily choices that prioritize others’ needs.