Have you ever watched the epic, four hour Hollywood production …The Ten Commandments? The storyline traces the events of how God miraculously delivered the Jews from 400 years of cruel Egyptian bondage. What’s missing from the narrative is the most important point. WHY? “They’ll realize that I … brought them out of Egypt so that I could live with them.“ (Exodus 29:46).

 After liberation the Jews are immediately instructed to build a transportable tent: “The people must make a Tent for Me, so that I may live among them” (Exodus 25:8)When construction was complete, God moved in: The Glorious Presence of God filled The Dwelling. (Exodus 40:34)

Then God said: “The twelve tribes of Israel are to set up camp around My Tent.” (Number 2:1)

What was vaguely illustrated in Exodus was fulfilled in Jesus: The infinite Life of God took shape before us (1 John 1:2) and fixed His tent of flesh among us; and we saw His glory.” (John 1:14) That’s why Jesus was called “Immanuel,” which means “God is with us. (Matthew 1:22-23) After Jesus moved into the neighborhood (John 1:14) He chose twelve  disciples to be with Him 24/7. (Mark 3:14)

Imagine a wagon wheel. There are twelve spokes imbedded in a central hub. The rim unifies the spokes in the hub. The twelve disciples (spokes) were connected to Jesus (hub). The Holy Spirit (outer rim) brought unity by keeping the dissimilar members in alignment. Note: there are no Lone Ranger followers of Jesus! If Peter wanted to follow Jesus, he had to relate to eleven other followers: You are together the body of Christ, and individually are members of Him.(1 Corinthians 12:27)

You’ve just been introduced to the CHURCH as designed by Jesus! It’s a Community of Life; liberated persons connected to and camped around Jesus 24/7.

You are together the body of Christ, and individually you are members of Him. 
1 Corinthians 12:27