| Often this verse is used to provide encouragement for a small group in prayer, yet the end result can often be a level of questioning leading to discouragement. If God is with us when two or three are gathered in prayer, couldn�t we then conclude that He is not with us when two or three are not present? Certainly not! We know Jesus� promise was that He would always be with us, �even until the end of the age.� (Matt 28:20) John 14:18-23 �I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you � On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you � and we will come to him and make our home with him.� 1 John 4:13 �By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit.� How then is Jesus' promise in Matthew 18:20 to be understood? His words are quoted by Paul in his second letter to the Corinthians as well as his first letter to Timothy. In both of these occasions the term is used in reference to casting an accusation against a brother: 2 Cor 13:1-2 1 This will be my third visit to you. "Every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses." 2 I already gave you a warning when I was with you the second time. I now repeat it while absent. 1 Tim 5:19 �Do not entertain an accusation against an elder unless it is brought by two or three witnesses.� Paul guarded the context of these words well, for they were originally presented by our Lord with direct reference to bringing an accusation against a brother. In the verses leading up to the verse under discussion, Jesus said this: Matt 18:15-16 15 "If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. 16 But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses. The theme of two or three witnesses and casting judgment based on their witness, however did not originate with Jesus. This was an integral part of the Law of Moses: Deut 17:6 "On the testimony of two or three witnesses a man shall be put to death, but no one shall be put to death on the testimony of only one witness." Deut 19:15 "One witness is not enough to convict a man accused of any crime or offense he may have committed. A matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses." If then God�s statement about His presence was in direct relation to a brother bringing an accusation against another what did He mean? Simply that He was with the witnesses in their decision and that they are thereby given His authority to cast judgment relating to the accusation. God is with us in relation to His abiding presence regardless of the number present. He need not be invoked or summoned. By His Spirit He continuously abides with His children and is certainly there when we come before His throne in private prayer. |
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| �For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.� Matthew 18:20 |