By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. John 13:35
One of the things archeologists have noted about skeletal remains from early Neanderthals is the number of broken bones. It leads them to conclude life was rugged and dangerous. That's so obvious even a caveman could figure that out! But what is interesting is the discovery of something from later periods where skeletal remains reveal more modern human features: healed fractures. One of the differences between Homo sapiens and the ape-like creatures that predated us is healed broken bones, particularly broken legs.
Why is that interesting? Because it says something about human development and how we evolved as we learned to take care of each other. If someone had a broken leg, they depended on others to hunt on that person's behalf. People realized their survival depended on community!
Nearly 60 times in the New Testament the words "one-another" appear. We are to be a distinguishing community in the way we love one another, encourage one another, and even admonish one another. Jesus told his followers this is how people will associate them with him-the way they love one another!
Yesterday was Epiphany which celebrates the birth of Christ who came for all people. One of the major ways Christ is revealed to the world is the way his followers demonstrate love for one another. But this is not a limited "us four and no more" kind of love. Christian love is open-ended, seeking to help all.
One thing it means is that the two are inseparable. We need each other to heal, and a church that hurts is one that will, well, eventually go the way of the Neanderthals.