My Favorite Verses - Vol III (Aug 16 to Nov 16)

Matthew 18:19-20 … When two of us Agree
(11/12/2016)
“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 himself
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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