Two weeks ago I shared with you a newly identified undesigned coincidence.

Since then, I’ve found one other interesting connection that adds to the case. (Details below).

But this week, I’ve got a follow-up question: so what?

Even if the Gospels record how Jesus arranged the Twelve into three small groups of four, and appointed a leader for each group, what difference does it make?

Before we jump to what this means for us, it’s important to consider what difference this might have meant for the Twelve.

What’s the benefit of participating in a small group? There are many, but one of the primary benefits is building closer relationships.

So consider what happened when the Twelve lost Judas Iscariot. I’ve experienced excruciatingly painful betrayals in ministry.

But I still struggle to imagine what it was like for the remaining eleven apostles. How could someone who walked the dusty roads of Israel with the Incarnate God, and who was invited into his inner circle, rat them out for thirty pieces of silver?

As The Twelve processed this loss, two small groups were intact. But one was not. And Simon the Zealot had lost his wingman.

So consider the urgency that the Apostle Peter demonstrates to replace Judas with Matthias. He puts the matter in stark terms:

Therefore, from among the men who have accompanied us during the whole time the Lord Jesus went in and out among us—beginning from the baptism of John until the day he was taken up from us—from among these, it is necessary that one become a witness with us of his resurrection (Acts 1:21-22).

For such a close-knit community, it was imperative that Simon received another partner, and that this group of three be made whole with a fourth. And so Matthias was selected.

What can we learn from this?

First, notice the wisdom of Jesus in building community.

As one person pointed out to me in an online discussion, Matthew the tax collector and Simon the Zealot are in different small groups. One of them had selfishly benefitted from the Roman occupation of Israel; the other was fiercely committed to Jewish independence. They were able to get along within the Twelve, but perhaps they weren’t ready to be in the same small group!

It takes great maturity to bring reconciliation among God’s people. Still, Matthew was eventually trusted to write one of the four Gospels of Jesus’ life!

We need wisdom and patience as we encourage Jesus’ disciples to grow into the fullness of love for one another.

Second, notice the priority Jesus gives to building community.

In my context, American Christianity is often highly individualistic.

Might we benefit from organizing ourselves into communities of twelve, connected in groups of four, and participating in mission in pairs of two?

An individualistic faith is stunted.

If I fall into grievous sin, who notices? If I am neglecting God’s word, who cares? If I omit evangelism, so what? If I stopped participating in my church at all, who would call me?

I don’t think there’s any reason to be legalistic about two, four, and twelve. Still, perhaps there is wisdom to be gleaned in the way that Jesus knit his disciples together? Perhaps we have weak Christian lives because we have weak Christian relationships?

Just as the Eleven brought Simon and Matthias together, let’s help one another make connections.

Third, notice how Jesus sends these groups on a mission.

Sometimes friendship is more about mutual gratification than about serving others. You find someone who likes playing golf, watching movies, or listening to a certain musician. So you’re friends.

I get it. There’s a place for that.

But Jesus built community, not only so they could love one another, but so they could love others. He sent them out two by two. He gave them the Great Commission. He entrusted them to start the church.

This is close to my heart. It is one of the core values of Uncommon Pursuit: “Togetherness that empowers mission.”

I’m not saying people are means to an end. Nor am I suggesting that you manipulate relationships to guilt people into religious activity. That’s twisted.

The point is that we want to develop close friendships with other disciples of Jesus who share a commitment to God’s mission.

Actually, the best friendships develop precisely because the mission involves risk, danger, and challenges. To make it, we draw closer to each other.

To sum it up:

The smallest details of the Bible can contain jewels of insight for our lives.

I believe the passive reception of information is stunting our growth. Processing what we learn with others helps us take steps of faith.