“For where two or three are gathered in my name, I’m there with them.”
Matthew 18:20 NRSV
As a project manager in my past professional life, I have enjoyed working with many different teams. There has always been one, or at most two, team members with which I’ve formed a special bond. Not that I disliked anyone on the team, but there was something that inexplicably drew me to those select few. These became my “go-to” people on the project. I knew I could trust them to deliver on time, and the tasks would be done well.
There is something special about a lesser number, a closeness that is not possible in a larger group. Perhaps this is what Jesus is saying when he talks about two or three. We know that God desires an intimate relationship with each of us. It makes sense then that God also cherishes the nearness of the few. Also, how we connect with God and each other is different when there are two or three than in larger gatherings. It is sometimes difficult to feel the same personal spiritual connection.
I’m not suggesting that communal worship is unnecessary. It most certainly is; there are elements of our worship best done with the full church. While we are grateful for our online Sunday worship service, we all agree it is just not the same as being together. However, this time does offer us a unique opportunity to explore the intimacy found in smaller groups.
Precious and loving God, we rejoice in the intimacy when two or three gathered in Jesus’ name. During this pandemic, please help us recognize the special closeness where just a few are gathered. Let us rejoice in this time we have with each other and you. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Blessings!
Pastor Tim
Where have you felt God’s presence in the two or three? How is that different than your spiritual experience in Sunday worship?
