04/11/2022 – Day 043 – Matthew 17 – 19 / The Power of His Presence in Prayer
It’s funny: First, I was going to cover The Transfiguartion, and I had already covered it already on 07/20/2020. So, opted for the Rich Young Ruler, and that was covered on 09/07/2020 – Day 099 – Mark 9 – 10. Our pastor noted on Sunday, that is a very good idea from time to time to check out parallel accounts in the other synoptic Gospels. For example, this past Sunday, Palm Sunday was of course covered by all of them: Matthew; Mark; Luke; and, John.
So , let’s really zero in on just two verses – THe Power of His Presence, 18: 19 – 20. Let’s look again at what Jesus promised his disciples: “Again, I tell you, that if two of you agree upon earth upon any matter for which you are praying, you will receive it from my Father who is in Heaven. Where two or three are assembled together in my Name, there am I in the midst of them.”
So, I think we can all agree this verse is most certainly true, for it comes from Jesus. But , I think we can also agree that we cannot take it literally, no? For we have all prayed in church I expect for an ailing member that did not recover as we asked. So , how do we bridge this gap from the literal interpretation?
Barclay points out that “Jesus is just as much present in the little congregation as in the mass meeting.” And too in our our homes , with just the family members. “There are those who never give of their best except on the so-called great occasion; but for Jesus Christ every occasion where even two or three are gathered in his name is a great occasion.
Soli Deo Gloria!