Why is our presence vital to our relationships?

Proverbs 27:10Never abandon a friend—either yours or your father’s. When disaster strikes, you won’t have to ask your brother for assistance. It’s better to go to a neighbor than to a brother who lives far away.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble.

John 14:23Jesus replied, “All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them.”

John 15:13-15“There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me.”

1 John 4:11-17Since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other. No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us. And God has given us his Spirit as proof that we live in him and he in us. Furthermore, we have seen with our own eyes and now testify that the Father sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. All who confess that Jesus is the Son of God have God living in them, and they live in God. We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world.

Our presence provides physical support to others. Two can form a team and accomplish much more than the two independently. Presence makes friendship possible and reinforces existing friendship. Without presence, relationships are difficult to maintain. As our Creator, Jesus has the right to consider us objects or slaves, but he chooses to call us and treat us as friends, giving weight to our presence. His promise to dwell in us means that we can experience his very presence in our lives.

Genesis 45:15Then Joseph kissed each of his brothers and wept over them, and after that they began talking freely with him.

Job 2:11-13Three of Job’s friends . . . traveled from their homes to comfort and console him. . . . When they saw Job from a distance, they scarcely recognized him. Wailing loudly, they tore their robes and threw dust into the air over their heads to show their grief. Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and nights. No one said a word to Job, for they saw that his suffering was too great for words.

Job 42:11Then all his [Job’s] brothers, sisters, and former friends came and feasted with him in his home. And they consoled him and comforted him because of all the trials the Lord had brought against him. And each of them brought him a gift of money and a gold ring.

Romans 1:10-12One of the things I always pray for is the opportunity, God willing, to come at last to see you. For I long to visit you so I can bring you some spiritual gift that will help you grow strong in the Lord. When we get together, I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours.

2 Corinthians 7:6God, who encourages those who are discouraged, encouraged us by the arrival of Titus.

Our presence provides emotional support to others. When we need a lift emotionally, an inanimate object doesn’t do much for us. It takes a smile, a kind word, a hug, a touch from someone who cares. Presence usually promotes mutual encouraging benefits.

Psalm 34:3Come, let us tell of the Lord’s greatness; let us exalt his name together.

Matthew 26:38He [Jesus] told them, “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”

Mark 3:13-14Afterward Jesus went up on a mountain and called out the ones he wanted to go with him. And they came to him. Then he appointed twelve of them and called them his apostles. They were to accompany him, and he would send them out to preach.

Acts 1:14They all met together and were constantly united in prayer, along with Mary the mother of Jesus, several other women, and the brothers of Jesus.

While we usually think about Jesus’ subjection to temptation as the primary way he experienced his humanity, it’s worth reflecting on the other basic human needs Jesus experienced: hunger, sadness, thirst, and a longing for companionship. His disciples were first his close companions before he sent them out.

Acts 2:42-47All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer. A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity—all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.

Hebrews 10:25Let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.

Our presence provides spiritual support to others. As God’s people we are there to bring others into God’s presence or to bring God’s presence to them. The early believers instinctively realized the importance of being together, worshiping together, and working for Christ together.