The last verse in our scripture reading today is my number one all-time favorite verse in the entire Bible. Verse 20 has brought me comfort over the years. Even though verse 20 is my favorite, it’s important to consider verse 19 as it sets the tone for the purpose of gathering in prayer. In vs. 19 Jesus says, “Again, truly I tell you, if two of you agree on earth about anything you ask, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them."
Friday I was driving to my office in Enid from Ames when I was thinking about this scripture. It was pretty early in the morning, around 7:30. And I was still trying to figure out how to use this lectionary reading in a sermon. As I drove I noticed that there was still a little fog hanging just above the grass and the ground was still glistening with dew. I was on the Ames blacktop and as I drove and kept looking at each side of the road so I could see all of the cattle, some still had their calves with them. Then I passed by the big farm where the horses and the cattle graze together… you know the one that always floods terribly and causes everyone who’s not in a truck to have to turn around?
And there I was thinking about our scripture reading for today and I said to myself… since I was alone… I said, “God, I know you’re with us when two or more are gathered, but I also know that you’re with us every day. So how am I supposed to explain why verse 20 is different?
Then the more I talked out loud, the clearer it became. God is everywhere and God is in all things. It’s just so obvious! How else would we be surrounded by lush green pasture and creeks filled to capacity at the end of summer? When the land is usually dry, crispy and golden….It’s like the land of milk and honey! And who, but God could hang a gentle rolling fog just feet off of the ground?
As I took in the beauty of the countryside, I could see not just God’s hands at work, but I could see God in the nutrient, fertile soil, providing bountiful pastures that feed the animals who graze, while also providing cover and shelter for so many other animals. I could see God in the air, gently lifting the winged animals, helping the hawks to soar with ease. I could see God in the motion of the water; sometimes gentle, sometimes forceful. And I could even see God in the fire of the prescribed burns along 132 this week; knowing that those fields would hold miles of wheat in just a few months.
Even in the beauty that surrounds us, this world is very much challenged. There’s not a continent on the planet that has not been affected by COVID. Hurricanes have ravaged parts of the US, Beirut is still trying to recover from that massive explosion, and earlier in the year, Italy was overwhelmed with flooding that destroyed priceless antiquities and irreplaceable historical artifacts.
We’ve had our own challenges in the US; massive job loss, a halt of oil production, a stock market whose patterns look more like a Six Flags roller coaster ride than anything else, racial unrest, violent protests, destruction of property, political divisions, hate, violence, and just last week, the discovery of 39 missing children in Georgia; part of a child sex trafficking ring.
We have all of these depressing, horrible, ugly events taking place, even now as I stand here in front of you. Yet, we can still get in our cars and drive about half a mile from this church and enter the land of milk of honey I just described. It’s still there, just as perfect as it was on Friday morning. This is our reminder that even in the midst of a global crisis, disaster, fighting and violence, God continues to be present. God still sets the sun, hangs the stars, and raises the moon each and every day. Old things die off and give way to new life, and the cycle of life continues.
Even in the despair, we can still see and feel God everywhere. We know God is with each and every one of us individually. Romans 5:5 taught us that, “God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” And in 2 Corinthians 3:3, “You are a letter from Christ delivered by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.” These are the lessons we’ve carried with us all the way back from Sunday school. We were taught as little children that God is not just with us, God is in us.
So what makes verse 20 different? If God is always with us, why is it important to know that where 2 or 3 are gathered in Christ’s name, Christ is going to be there with them?
Here’s what makes it different…. One word, “community”. Being together in agreement, in one accord for the sole purpose of praying together, praising and seeking God together in community with one another and in relationship with God. This is pleasing to God.
We know how powerful prayer can be. We’ve all witnessed it at one time or another. Now imagine just how powerful prayer can be when two or three are gathered… when people in community pray and praise God together…Imagine the build-up! Those prayers are gathering strength and power with each voice that joins in… Can you picture it?
I’m a visual person so when I imagine this scenario, my mind has already created a scene fit for a movie! I have this image of a group of people praying fervently together and God is pleased. The mountains begin to shake, as if a small earthquake has struck. But then the shaking becomes stronger and stronger…. And it builds until the ground can no longer contain itself and suddenly it bursts open, splitting the mountains apart and the sky is filled with an amazing light… the light of prayers said together in agreement and community. This is the power of the Holy Spirit at work.
I gave you that imagery for a bit of theatrics. I doubt that you’d actually experience that kind of sight even if you were gathered together in fervent prayer. But I honestly believe that it accurately describes the unseen power of prayer! We don’t need theatrics to get the results, we just need to be together in agreement, in prayer. Miracles are still happening, often in a quiet, simple, and unassuming way. They may not be obvious to us right away. But God is at work!
So this is the difference; this is why verse 20 is so special! Yes, we know God is always among us, but we also know that wherever 2 or 3 are gathered in Christ’s name, look out! There is power in community, power in prayer, and power in the presence of Christ.
This kind of belief and desire, this ache for a relationship with Christ, it’s contagious. I used to be shy when it came to talking about my faith. I didn’t want to make people uncomfortable or push them away. And I certainly didn’t want people to think I was some kind of radical that would hound them to come to church all of the time. Too many people have a bad taste in their mouth when it comes to the idea of organized religion. At some point in their lives, they’ve had a negative experience of church.
The older I get, the more at ease I am openly talking about God. Everyone I work with at Youth & Family are aware that I pastor a rural church. And that gives me a little bit of extra freedom to talk about my faith. I am careful however to keep it positive and uplifting. And you know what? That positivity for Christ is contagious! When we first started posting our service on Facebook, someone I work with started watching every Sunday morning. And now I can tell you that there are several from my workplace that tune in regularly.
It’s our responsibility to make disciples, to be fishers of men, to create “community” for Christ. Let’s not be shy, let’s be bold! Let’s be positive and spread the contagious and infectious love of God everywhere. Let’s start a Jesus pandemic that makes the corona virus pale in comparison!
And now, in this place where 2, 3 and even more are gathered, let us come together in agreement and pray. Father God, heal our nation, heal our world. Help us to love one another. Help us to mend broken relationships, and where there are walls, help us to build bridges. Father God, fill us with your Holy Spirit so that we may go out with confidence and joy and lead others into your Kingdom. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
