For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
Christ promises His presence wherever two or three assemble in His name, to guide and prosper their undertakings. But we must understand what "in His name" means, for ungodly men wickedly cloak their conspiracies in His sacred name. Those who gather must lay aside everything that hinders them from approaching Christ and come with sincere devotion.
AI summary
The disciples asked who would be greatest in the kingdom, not from hunger for holiness but for name and rank. They had dreamed of a temporal kingdom with external pomp and power, fastened upon Christ's words of glory while forgetting His sufferings. Many love to hear of privileges and crown while overlooking the yoke and cross.
AI summary
Commenting on Matthew 18:1-35
Therefore is the kingdom of heaven,.... The Gospel church state, or the church of Christ under the Gospel dispensation, and the methods of God's dealings in it; likened unto a certain king: or "a man", "a king", pointing either to Christ, the king Messiah, who is King of kings, and Lord of lords, the King of saints and churches; who, as God, has a natural...