Twin Peaks

December 1

Happy Sabbath Everyone,

The scripture for today is Matthew 18:20

Matthew 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

The Lord Jesus clearly states here that He is in the midst of even two or three that are gathered "in my name." "In my name" carries a more powerful meaning than we usually attribute to the phrase. Albert Barnes, in his notes on the New Testament, points out that the meaning is expressed as "by my authority." Jesus told the Jews in John 10:25 “...the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me.” He is saying that the works that he is doing is "by His Father's authority."   

As we gather together in the name of Jesus (by the authority of Jesus), He is present. How can He be present when we know that, for our sake, He is forever one of us, with a glorified human body? This is one of the amazing beauties of the Godhead. The Holy Spirit, who is both the Spirit of the Father and the Son, can be everywhere at all times. Jesus, in this statement, acknowledges that He and the Holy Spirit are one and that He is present in the person of the Holy Spirit.

We can rely upon His presence when we are together by His authority, in His name. As long as we are under His authority, we have the power of the Godhead working in us and through us.

God bless you as you continue in His service.

Tim