THOUGHTS FROM MATTHEW

June 8

Text: Matthew 18:19, 20

"Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven.  For where two or three have gathered together in My name, there I am in their midst." (NASB)

What Jesus said to the 12, and the emphasis we give this passage may not be the same thing.  The kind of synagogue worship a group of Jews could offer—especially in the matter of prayer—depended on the number of men present.  There were required rules and rituals.  Significant attention to detail was required.  With this attention on the human element and focus on the procedure, it was possible to forget to praise God.  It was possible to be so involved in the human requirements that the focus on   praise of God was secondary.  Proper synagogue worship occurred because the proper things were done in the proper way.  Or, God was praised through procedure rather than through the individual’s appreciation.  If the right things occurred in the right way, praise had to occur.

We are more prone to stress the size of the congregation assembled.  There is never a “too small.”

Jesus’ point was simple: “Because of me, God is approachable.”  Because of Jesus, people do not have to be concerned about numbers.  Because of Jesus, praising God is not about procedure.  Praising God is founded on a consensus desire to be thankful to God for His blessings.

Requests for the person, the nation, or the world do not depend on place or the men present.

Why?  What produced the difference?  Was that difference the result of human understanding?  Of human insight?  No!  Did the difference result from some change in God?  No!  If the change is not the result of humans or of God, then . . . why the change?  The change occurred because of Jesus!  Things were (are) completely different because of Jesus.  It is who he is and what he did that produced the change.  God is approachable because of Jesus!

Suggestion for reflection: How do you express appreciation for Jesus?  (Read Hebrews 4:14-16.)

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