IS NOT ONE ENOUGH?
By Joel Finck
Scripture Reading: Matthew 18:20
Growing
up in a small church, it was common to hear Matthew 18:20 quoted as a
sort of consolation for poor attendance at Wednesday prayer meeting.
"We might be small in number," the Pastor would lament, ''but remember
that 'where two or three are gathered together' the Lord is there."
Though
no one ever questioned this interpretation, the thought must have
crossed someone's mind, "Is not one enough for the Lord to be there?"
Of course, it is! Paul reminds us in Ephesians 3:17 that Christ dwells
in our very hearts by faith. Why, then, does the Lord tell His
disciples when "two or three are gathered" in His name, then He will
be in the midst of them?
The
answer to this question is the context in which it was spoken. In
Matthew eighteen, the twelve apostles are instructed concerning church
discipline in the kingdom. (Confer with Matthew 16:19 &
18:15-18.) In matters of judgment, the law required at least two or
three witnesses for a matter to be established (Deuteronomy 19:15).
Therefore, as the twelve apostles exercise judgment in the kingdom,
they will have to abide by the legal requirement of two or three
witnesses. When two or three agree together on any matter of judgment,
the Lord will execute it according to their request (Matthew 18:19).
Then, to officially seal the matter, Christ the King will personally
attend the trial and sentencing (verse 20).
We can thank the Lord that even if we must stand alone, the Lord is with us, as He was with Paul: "At my first answer no man stood with me .... Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me" (II Timothy 4:16, 17).
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