The text in Matthew 18:20 is often misquoted or misused. A reference is made to this verse when church attendance is down. It seems to be used as a rationale that it is okay for the majority of church people to not be present. To correct our understanding, let us look at a summary of the whole chapter.
Jesus entered into a conversation with his disciples using a child as an example for those who would be converted having received the promise of eternal life. He warned of the possibility to offend the young believer. Then he talked about examining ourselves and how we should respond to our own misdeeds. He alluded to the necessity of cutting off our hands or plucking out our eyes as opposed to despising the little one or new believer.
In the midst of this discussion, Jesus said came to earth to save those lost. He gives an illustration of a lost sheep that must be found. He tells of the rejoicing when the sheep is found. Then Jesus proceeds to talk about social interaction of the believers beginning in verse fifteen. Jesus instructed us how to resolve differences between the disgruntled.
With all this information behind us about salvation and offending young believers and self-awareness of offenses made, our Lord tells us about the power and authority that each believer has in serving God. In verses eighteen and nineteen Christ discusses a very important aspect of the Christian life. He talked about binding and loosing on earth and in heaven just like what was also said in chapter 16 verse 19.
When we come to verse twenty that I have already mentioned as not quoted properly, Jesus was not offering comfort when the church attendance is down. Look back at the summary of the verses before and see that Jesus is talking about authority and power. This is similar to what John said in his chapter one verse twelve. He said, “as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God even to them that believe on his name.”
Devout believers that are intent on serving Christ have authority in their personal ministry to those in their own world. They have a power that is directed to them from God. They need no consolation because it only takes two or three believers who have the power of the Holy Spirit active in their lives to enjoy the presence of Jesus in their midst. These believers are not regular churchgoers. They have been to the cross, they have also been anointed by the Holy Spirit to accomplish God’s work. In other words, it only takes two or three believers gathered together with Jesus in their midst to accomplish great things.
Ours is not to rationalize about low attendance. Ours is to rejoice that we have been in the presence of Almighty God. Ours is the glamour of spiritual heights so that when we are directed by God, we can ask what we would, and it shall be done. The challenge before us is to re-examine our own spiritual lives so that we display the working of the Holy Spirit.
Christian Writer 