Matthew 18:19-20 … When two of us Agree (11/12/16)
“If two of you agree on earth about anything you ask, it will be done for you by my Father in Heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my Name, I am there within & among them.” ~ Jesus (Matthew 18:19-20)
Here again we have a passage from the Bible that is used by many (especially those Christians who have succumbed to the lie that is “the Prosperity Gospel” — or those non-Christians who have succumbed to the falsehood that is “the Law of Attraction”) to justify their selfish attempts at satisfying their deepest desires for material wealth, their deepest longings for emotional “love”, &/or their deepest yearnings for public acclaim (i.e. power or popularity or fame) …
Of course, what those same believers always conveniently overlook (or outright ignore) are the most important words in the passage – namely, the words “in my name.” For the original true name of the biblical Jesus was probably the Hebrew “Yehoshua” – a name which literally meant “God is our guide”; a name which later became the Aramaic “Yeshua” – which meant “he will save” … Interestingly, Matthew 1:23 cites Jesus’ true name as “Emmanuel” – a name which meant “God is [literally] with us” (i.e. “God is ever within us”) … And of course, at least as far as Jesus was concerned (and Jesus is the one who happens to be speaking in this passage), God – the “Father in Heaven” mentioned here – was an essence composed of pure and perfect Love (Matthew 5:48); a Love that knows no want for self – a Love that desires only to serve others.
As such, when we keep these Truths in mind, this passage takes on a far deeper Meaning – for the only thing that anyone can wish for while truly living “in Christ’s name” is for the opportunity to be of service to those nearby, and whenever anyone who is living this mindset asks for the same, his or her awareness is immediately re-opened to the Truth that there are always those nearby in need of Tenderness – that there are always those nearby in need of Compassion – that there are always those nearby in need of Generosity – that there are always those nearby in need of Love. And because of the omni-prevalence of these potential objects of our Love, it is true indeed that whenever “two of you [who are gathered in Jesus’ name] agree about anything you ask, it will be done for you.”
Amen … Let it be so.
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