Matthew 18:18-20 – “I tell you the truth, whatever you bind on earth will have been bound in heaven, and whatever you release on earth will have been released in heaven.  ¹⁹ Again, I tell you the truth, if two of you on earth agree about whatever you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you.  ²⁰ For where two or three are assembled in my name, I am there among them.”

As I prayed, read, and pondered Matthew 18, I was deeply challenged in my heart.  It begins with humility and a willingness to be submissive, much like obedient, well-raised children.  Then, guard against being offensive or offending.  Offense is a two-way street.  We are not offended until we “take offense.” We personalize it and participate.

He continued to address offenses and biblically deal with them.  Binding and loosing are in the context of dealing with offenses.   We make Matthew 18:18-19 a formula for answered prayer, but it is also a pathway to restoring relationships.

In verse 19, we encounter the phrase “if two are agreed.”   The Greek is ‘sumphoneo,’ from which we get the Word ‘symphony,’ indicating complete harmony and unity.  The Aramaic is ‘shava,’ which means ‘unity-uninterrupted flow.’

The Talmud does not focus on two or three, but on ten in agreement.  It advises against studying the Torah alone.  (No scripture is of private interpretation.)   In the West, we have a “me” mentality.  The idea of being a body, family, or compound unity is lacking.

Unity, here, refers to having multiple people join us and allowing others to help us focus correctly.  It is not a bunch of us ganging up on God to force our will ‘agreement’ on Him, but together ascertaining His will and pursuing it in symphony.  That demands transparency far beyond what we now exhibit.

Our pursuit and desire should be total submission to God.  When offenses come, out of that humility, we can then, in symphony with other believers, address the offenses and bind the forces of darkness that hinder.  In that unity and agreement, we pull down strongholds, grow in grace, and reap God’s harvest.

Are we invested enough as the Body of Christ to drop the ‘me’ syndrome and become the ‘Body of Christ’?   God does not give us formulas to manipulate Him and get what we want, but a pathway to becoming what He wants us to be.  From that condition, power is infused into our prayers.

Verse 20 – “For where two or three are gathered in My Name, I AM THERE among them.” He is always present to guide us unless we hide behind our masks.  Threefold cords!  God is not into formulas but pathways to wholeness.

LORD, please help us to become united in our hearts and minds with each other and You!