I have heard many references lately to one's "community,"  What does that mean?  Family?  Church?  Neighborhood?  Friends or coworkers?  I'd answer yes to each of those, but I think it goes much further and deeper than those references.

We all long to be part of a community.  Being created in the image of God, we were created to be in relationship.  We are not talking about the difference between introverts and extroverts.  In one way or another, we all long to be part of a community that loves and appreciates us.

Last week, the Northwest Church of Christ here in Denver, did a project called "Mission Possible."  We visited houses in a couple of neighborhoods to offer boxes of food and basic home repairs.  One thing we noticed, besides the physical needs, was the need to be listened to.  Many felt alone and don't have anyone with whom to share their lives.  They live in a neighborhood, but need a community.

This week, we are going to look at the concept of community and strive to be a community, to be the church, to those around us.  To start, for Makeover Monday, I encourage you to look at what Jesus defined as our neighbor when asked by an expert of the law in Luke 10.  It's the story of the Good Samaritan, but here's an opportunity to read it anew.

On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?” He answered, “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ ” “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.” But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’ “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” (Luke 10:25-37 NIV)