Matthew 18:15-20 (NIVUK)
15 ‘If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. 16 But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that “every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.” 17 If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.
18 ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.
19 ‘Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.’
Although the resurrection isn’t explicitly mentioned in today’s passage, I think we’ve already established that Jesus is with us today through his Spirit, the giving of which was enabled by his death, resurrection and ascension. Here Jesus is talking about how we live our lives together, specifically in this instance, how we deal with people who sin (which let’s face it, is all of us at some point!) He ends with the phrase, ‘where two or three gather in my name, there I am with them’. This is surely talking about our lives lived in unity with each other, and in accordance with his will, reflecting his. Of course this is only possible through the Spirit uniting us and working in and through us. Bottom line, Jesus is present in our life together in his name. Jesus is interested in community.
Jesus, thank you that we can find you in the heart of our life together. Help us by your Spirit so that others may find you there too.
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