"If Two Of You Agree" - REALLY About Prayer?

Context – context – context! Have you ever noticed that not paying attention to context will cause you to misunderstand a text of scripture? Take, for example, the statement Jesus made in Matthew 18:19-20 – “…if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” Do you know how many people think that verse is talking about prayer? I’ve heard it quoted most often when only two people show up for a prayer meeting. It goes something like this: “Well, Lord, we have been announcing this prayer meeting for a month, and here we are now – 20 minutes after the time to start – and my friend and I are the only ones here. But that’s OK. Your Word promises that where two or three are gathered in Your Name, that You are right there among them. And You also promise that if the two of us agree on anything, that our Heavenly Father will do whatever we ask.”
And so it continues. But have you ever really thought about the implications of that passage if it really were talking about prayer? It would eliminate the possibility of praying alone and having faith to believe your prayers would be answered. If that verse really were talking about prayer (in general), it would mean that if I could just get one other person to agree with me in prayer, then I could get that brand new silver Mercedes I’ve always wanted. Now, I’m being silly here to make a point – this verse is not about prayer and the context reveals that.
The context of this particular passage begins all the way back in 17:22 when Jesus begins to tell the disciples that the Son of Man is about to be betrayed and killed and the disciples are greatly distressed. That teaching is followed immediately by the collection of a 2 drachma tax which Jesus tells Peter to get from the mouth of a fish. (Matthew 17:27) At this point, you are probably asking yourself, “What does that have to do with two or three gathering in the name of Jesus?” And I’m glad you asked that question because there is one phrase in 17:27 that is critical to our understanding – “not to give offense to them.” You see, this segment is about dealing with offense. Matthew sets things up by warning the disciples that a very offensive act is just over the horizon – the betrayal and crucifixion of Jesus. That is an event that is sure to create offense in the hearts of the disciples. Then Matthew tells us about Jesus’ desire not to cause or create offense.
Now we come to chapter 18 and Jesus teaches about causing a little one to stumble, and about being the vessel through whom temptation comes, and about it being better to cut off a hand or pluck out an eye rather than enter into “the hell of fire.” (Matthew 18:9) Each of those images is offensive. Don’t offend a little one. Don’t be the one who brings offense through temptation. Don’t let your hand or your eye offend. So Matthew is helping us to get our hearts ready for the offense of the cross by putting several offensive images before us.
He continues by introducing a second theme that goes along with the problem of offense – separation and loss. Don’t forget, Jesus is still dealing with offense, but now he has begun to include the results that come from being offended. He talks about going after lost sheep – leaving the 99 in order to go after the one wanderer. (Matthew 18:12-14) This parable is followed immediately by the story of a lost relationship – and, of course, the relationship is lost because of offense! Jesus teaches (verse 18:15), “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother.” In other words, “If you are offended by something your brother has done to you, just like going after a lost sheep, go after this lost relationship.”
He gives several steps in the reconciliation process, and then Jesus makes this statement – which also has been misunderstood, “…if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.” Often times that verse has been seen as a license to reject – to cut off the wayward sinner. But think about that (mis)understanding.
Who is writing this Gospel? Matthew.
What was Matthew’s occupation? Tax Collector.
How was Matthew treated by Jesus? Was he rejected? Was he cut off from fellowship? Did Jesus tell everyone to have nothing to do with Matthew? Absolutely not! Jesus welcomed Matthew. Jesus built a relationship with Matthew. And as a result, Jesus won Matthew. Matthew was that one lost sheep. Matthew was that offensive heathen. But Jesus went after him.
And now we come to our verses, “Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” You have to ask the question, “Why would Jesus spend all this time talking about not being offended, about what to do if you are offended, and about how to restore a relationship that has been lost because of offense, only to throw in a verse about prayer?” It doesn’t make sense does it? That’s because this verse isn’t about prayer. It’s about reconciliation.
Jesus is telling these people that if you are offended and it looks like the relationship has come to an end and reconciliation is impossible, that’s when you bring the family of faith into the process. If the family of faith can’t bring reconciliation, then change tactics; begin to view the lost brother (or sister) as truly lost, and redouble your efforts to win him (or her) back. Take someone with you – but remember – and here is the fun part – When “you agree on earth about anything [you] ask, it will be done for [you] by my Father in heaven.” In other words, Jesus wants reconciliation more than you do. Seeking to restore a broken relationship is the heart of God! He will be on your side and see to it that things work out.
And then, Jesus adds a little motivation to do it right, “…where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” In other words, Jesus is teaching, “When you go, remember that you are carrying MY Name so you had better represent me well. Do things the way I would do them because, in fact, I am right there with you. So treat this person with the same love and respect and kindness and mercy that you have received from Me.”
If you aren’t convinced by now, I have one more little contextual clue that will let you know that these verses (19-20) are about reconciliation rather than prayer. Notice the first words out of Peter’s mouth when Jesus finishes this teaching, “Then Peter came up and said to him, "Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him?” Interesting isn’t it? If verses 19-20 were about prayer, why would Peter ask a question about forgiveness? Context – context – context!

Biblical Meditation

The Church has bought into an eastern mystical view of meditating on the Bible. If you just read a verse of scripture, you don't need to know what it means - just think about it - write it down several times - say it to yourself over and over - begin to sing it (either aloud or quietly to yourself) - and eventually the true meaning of the text will emerge. In adopting that form of meditating on God's Word we have created an atmosphere where there is no foundational Truth in the Word. For example, if one were to "meditate" on this portion of Psalm 1:1 - "Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners..." and my definition of "sinner" were not a Biblical definition (and believe me, there are plenty of non-biblical definitions of sin out there), then I would not arrive at the intended Truth of the Bible. My point is, that no matter how long I meditate on a passage of scripture, if I don't understand what that scripture means, I will come to a wrong conclusion.
Let me give you another example. Many people know the text that Jesus gave Himself for the Church "so that He might present the Church to Himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle..." (Ephesians 5:27). I have heard that phrase taught from the perspective of a modern western perspective - that the Church - the Bride of Christ - will stand before Jesus at the Second Coming in clothing that is pure white (like a modern, western wedding gown) and there will be no smudges on the gown. Now, if that is our understanding of the meaning of that text, no matter how many times we read it, no matter how many times we write it, not matter how many times we repeat it to ourselves - we will not come to the correct understanding of that text.
The phrase, "without spot or wrinkle," is a Hebraic metonymy - a figure of speech from a Hebrew perspective - that describes the skin condition of a bride. Her husband would look at her skin and notice if she had spots - because spots meant she had been spending much time in the sun laboring to earn his love. If her skin had wrinkles, that meant she was a worrier - she had been fretting and did not trust his ability to take care of her.
Now upon reflection, we find that Jesus wants a "bride" a Church that has entered into His rest - those who have done what Jesus said to do in Matthew 11:28-30 - "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." In other words, Jesus wants people who will rest in Him and stop trying to earn their salvation. In addition, Jesus is looking for a "bride" - a Church - without wrinkle. That means He wants us to stop worrying! A Church without wrinkle has followed Jesus' teaching found in Luke 12:25-32 - "And which of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life's span? ... But if God so clothes the grass in the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, how much more will He clothe you? You men of little faith! ... And do not seek what you will eat and what you will drink, and do not keep worrying. ... your Father knows that you need these things. But seek His kingdom, and these things will be added to you. Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom. "
I say all of that just to say this, Biblical Meditation involves INTENSE STUDY followed by REFLECTION. Biblical Meditation is not built on reflection alone. I had a band director in High School who used to say to all his students, "Practice makes perfect.....unless you are practicing wrong." I say the same thing about meditating on the Bible. The way to ensure that you are meditating correctly is study. Biblical Meditation does not come after study - Biblical Meditation includes and begins with study. I encourage you - whatever else you do - STUDY the Bible!