In the first-hand accounts of Jesus life, we see Jesus talking to crowds but inviting people into community. His invitation was simple, “Come follow me”.
Jesus could clearly draw a crowd. Some 5,000 people at a time. And yet though he could draw a crowd, Jesus’ priority was building a community.
We see Jesus do this with his disciples. Jesus builds a community– a group of people who share a common way of life, as well as common values and beliefs, and he invites people to join them.