Connecting Point: Don't Go Alone

I’m going to go out on a limb and date myself regarding age since many in this audience share a similar experience. Many of us grew up watching The Lone Ranger and Tonto, the iconic 1950s western show about a presumed dead Texas Ranger who travels to the West to assist the helpless affected by lawlessness. Such a theme resonates and has been recreated in other movies and sitcoms. The only problem is that in real life, going after injustice alone is not practical or wise. We need others in our lives for accountability, correction, and encouragement.

Jesus exemplified this example as he taught and gathered around him some counterparts, known as the disciples. The group of the first twelve are listed in Matthew 10, Mark 3, and Luke 6, the account I’ve brought to your attention lately. “One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles: Simon (whom he named Peter), his brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Simon, who was called the Zealot, Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor,” (Luke 6:12-16).

Although Luke is not one of the original twelve, it’s most likely he’s considered one of the seventy other disciples or messengers discussed in Luke 10. Most scholars agree that Luke is the author of Acts and was closely associated with Paul as they worked together for the cause of Christ. Some principles from the text include:

One: personal prayer should be part of minor and major decision-making. Now, please don’t take this to legalistic ends such as that prayer is required for what clothes you should wear for the day, etc. Jesus was God in the flesh, and even with infinite knowledge, He took time to pray about decisions, specifically for leadership as the church was birthed. If Jesus prayed, shouldn’t we pray about various decisions?

Second: discipleship is not an individual task or undertaking, Christianity is community. The Bible helps us understand there is no “Lone Ranger” in God’s kingdom. Certainly, we come to salvation on an individual basis or have times of personal prayer, however, we were never intended to follow Jesus alone. Discipleship is centered around growing emotionally and spiritually alongside others. Notice Jesus methodology…He gathered disciples (plural), not just one person.

Some obstacles to thriving as a disciple of Jesus arise due to our backgrounds, especially those with deep, personal, relational wounds. A lack of solid spiritual upbringing or vague understanding of what it Biblically means to follow Jesus tends to create spiritual immaturity. If a person is in an environment where unhealthy emotions rule the moment or emotions are unchecked by Biblical practice trust is difficult to come by and good advice is seldom accepted. Such a wounded individual drifts towards being a “Lone Ranger,” even as a Christian.

Here’s the good news: in a healthy Christian community, we can mature and grow because God has designed the church to be the gathering of His people. As we make ourselves accountable to others, we can overcome the obstacles before us through guidance and correction. God will place other mature people in our lives, who have learned from their mistakes and shortcomings, gaining wisdom from these disciples can save us from serious life consequences. Most importantly, we can find meaningful encouragement alongside others.