Ok, I just read a blog that said it, and I have heard it in church services more than half a million times. “Jesus said that where 2 or more are gathered in my name, there I will be also, so Jesus is here in this service with us.” That grates on me a bit! Is it just that people have heard it the half a million times, or are they convinced that is what it means?
If I learned anything in Bible College, it is that context is King! (Thank you David Fish, Matt Proctor, Jim Johnson, and Mark Scott for pounding that into my head.) If we look at the context of Matthew 18:19-20 what do we see? We see Jesus talking about disciplining a brother who sins against us! If we are in agreement as believers, Jesus is in agreement also!
Jesus has promised to be with us, and he has even sent His Holy Spirit to dwell in us, so even as I sit here all alone, Jesus is here! Why do we make Bible passages say what we want them to say!
Sorry everybody! Am I just straining the gnats here, or is it as bad exegesis (or actually eisegesis) as I think it is?
rant is done…all this because the person didn’t allow comments on their blog. This would have been easier for all involved if I could have just mentioned it to that person!
