“Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them (Matthew 18:19-20 NKJV).”

If two of you agree on earth: There is real power in agreement in prayer and in the presence of Jesus. This is exactly what the unrepentant folks miss out on.

In the ancient Greek, agree is literally “to symphonize.” Jesus wants us to complement each other like a great orchestra. “It is a metaphor taken from a number of musical instruments set to the same key, and playing the same tune: here, it means a perfect agreement of the hearts, desires, wishes, and voices, of two or more persons praying to God.” (Clarke)

It will be done for them by My Father in heaven: We must take advantage of the power of agreement, which works on the principle related in Leviticus 26:8, where five set a hundred enemies to flight but a hundred set ten thousand enemies to flight. That’s the difference between one defeating 20 and one defeating 100. There is real power, exponential power in the prayer of agreement.

Where two or three are gathered: Jesus here indicated that meetings of His people – indeed, meetings full of power and authority connected to heaven – do not need to be large gatherings. They can be of two or three of His followers at a time.

“Jesus is just as much present in the little congregation as in the great mass meeting…He is not the slave of numbers.” (Barclay) 

A meeting of two or three is easy to gather. Someone is always close at hand, and it isn’t hard to find a place to meet. Two or Three – just you and your spouse meets that criteria. Two or three are mentioned, not to encourage absence, but to encourage the faithful few who do not forget the assembling of themselves together, as the manner of some is. (Hebrews 10:25)

· This shows us that large numbers are not essential.

· This shows us that the rank of the people is not essential. (A pastor present is not required)

· This shows us that the particular place is not essential. (The church is not the only place we can meet)

· This shows us that the particular time is not essential. (It doesn’t have to be on Sunday morning)

· This shows us that the particular form the meeting should take is not essential. (Just in the name of Jesus)

Are gathered together in My name: This shows us that meeting in Jesus’ name is most essential.

· Gathering together in His name means that we are known by Him and by His name.

· Gathering together in His name means that He is our point of gathering; we gather around  Jesus.

· Gathering together in His name means gathering according to the character and nature of Jesus.

· Gathering together in His name means gathering in a manner that Jesus would endorse.

I am there in the midst of them: This means that Jesus isn’t up front, closer to the minister or the leaders. He is in the midst, there to be close to all. It means that he should be proclaimed and revealed to all. Our meeting is in the name of Jesus.

I am there in the midst of them: None but God could say these words, to say them with truth, because God alone is everywhere present, and these words refer to his omnipresence…Jesus is not here among us to spy out our sin or critique the imperfections of our worship, but He is here to enlighten, strengthen, and comfort us.