April 4th - Matthew 18:19-20

Matthew 18:19-20 [Jesus said:] “I also tell you this: If two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you. For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.” The Church is not just a gathering of people who respect Jesus. It is infinitely more than that because, when his followers come together, Jesus is actually present. This means that incredibly powerful things can happen when we meet. The key to our meetings is unity. The Greek word that is used here for agreeing ([itals]sumphonesosin[end itals]) gives us the English word ‘symphony’, which means to agree in sound or to be in harmony with one another. God longs to bless us powerfully, but that can only happen when our thinking is in line with one another and with his will. Unity is always of importance to the people of God. By unity we don’t mean uniformity in which everyone thinks and acts in the same way. Uniformity actually militates against true unity, which depends upon each individual bringing their different gifts and perspectives. Unity occurs when we all look to God together and find our place of meeting in him. Psalm 133 describes the desirability of this kind of unity in a beautiful way: “How wonderful and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony! For harmony is as precious as the anointing oil that was poured over Aaron’s head, that ran down his beard and onto the border of his robe. Harmony is as refreshing as the dew from Mount Hermon that falls on the mountains of Zion. And there the LORD has pronounced his blessing, even life everlasting.” These words would have been sung by pilgrims as they made their way up to worship God in Jerusalem. As we meet in unity with other Christians, whatever the context, and however many people are present, Jesus is with us in the power of his Spirit. We should be really excited about what he will do among us. Question When have you experienced the power of Christian unity? Prayer Lord God, thank you for the gift of unity. Please give me the determination and strength to maintain it. Amen