The promise of the Saviour’s presence
For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them (Matthew 18:20).
But the Lord stood with me (2 Timothy 4:17).
Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord (John 20:19-20).
Over the past week, fears of the further spread of Covid-19 have increased. Action is being taken to re-impose restrictions to counter this increase. In such circumstances, we can be left doubting if our lives will ever return to normal. We feel so restricted. We can’t visit or be close to extended families or neighbours, and we especially feel the limitations imposed on Christian fellowship. I usually travel more than 25,000 miles a year. Since lockdown, it has been 3500 miles. Everything planned in our annual circuit of ministry has been cancelled. But what has been such an encouragement to me is understanding the Lord can never be restricted.
In Matthew 18:20 the Saviour describes the tiniest groups: two or three. And He promises to be in their midst. When we think of this verse, we often think of the smallness of the numbers. However, Matthew 18:20 is not about our smallness, but about the Lord’s greatness: the power of His omnipresence. He can embrace all of His people in His love and grace in the same moment. He is simultaneously in the midst of every company gathering simply in His name. He never ceases to be the all-powerful Shepherd of the one flock.
But what if we are not part of the smallest group? What if, this morning, we are entirely isolated – alone. This is what Paul felt when he wrote: “At my first defence no one stood with me, but all forsook me” (2 Timothy 4:16). But then in the very next verse he writes, “But the Lord stood with me.” When the Lord says, “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5) He is speaking to every single child of God. We may not be able to enjoy each other’s fellowship as we once did, but the Lord comes to where we are. He did that to save us, and He continues to come where we are throughout our lives.
Centuries ago, the disciples were restricted and afraid as they met on the first day of the week behind closed doors. These circumstances did not prevent Jesus from coming to them. He filled their hearts with His peace, the reality of His love, and His joy. This morning, whatever the restrictions placed on us, the Lord wants us to know His presence. He wants His peace to rule in our hearts, and His love, that took Him to Calvary, to overwhelm us with joy and worship. And He wants that to be our experience whether we are alone or gathered in the smallest or largest groups, until the day dawns when He will bring us into His eternal presence.
