Are You Gathered In His Name?
Charles Pennington

For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." Matthew 18:20.

To most in religion today, these words are commonly taken to mean that; "if some people assemble together and mention the name 'Jesus' that He is bound to honor their gathering with His presence"– that is ignorance and presumption! Even those who truly gather in 'that Name which is above every name,' most often think of these words of our Lord as being a gracious promise that He will attend the gathering of His people who assemble in His name. Surely this is so, for our Lord Jesus is ever present with His people, in His Word, by His Spirit and through the preaching of His gospel.

However, these words of the Master have a far greater meaning. The words speak of those who are gathered, indicating not what they do, but what is done to them, for them, and with them. Also, the words, gathered together in my name, literally means: "to lead together, (to collect or convene) by my authority."

The promise of His presence then is not to all who assemble and make mention of His name, but to those whom He has gathered, collected and led together by His authority. Without doubt He will be in the midst of these, for THEY ARE GATHERED UNTO HIM: The Lord God which gathereth the outcasts of Israel saith, Yet will I gather others to Him, beside those that are gathered unto Him (Isa. 56:8). HE GATHERS THEM HIMSELF: He shall feed His flock like a shepherd: He shall gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young (Isa 40:11).

All those who are gathered, know Who gathered them, from where they were gathered, to Whom they were gathered and for what purpose. Save us O Lord our God, and gather us from among the heathen, to give thanks unto Thy holy name, and to triumph in Thy praise (Psa. 106:47). All those who are gathered shall forever be in the presence of the Gatherer.