Witnesses

Matthew 18:15-20
Life in the Church
 
This passage in Matthew talks about life together as the church. Jesus describes what a healthy church looks like. Yes, it infers the church has sin and conflict, but notice Jesus doesn’t say, “Don’t sin or avoid conflict.” It’s a given that those things are going to happen. We're human. But when those things do happen, Jesus teaches how to handle them in a way that brings reconciliation.
 
When reconciliation occurs, Jesus is present. Christ reconciled sin and death through his resurrection, so Christ is present in any reconciliation. In verse 20, Jesus names himself as the divine presence who is present when two or three are gathered in his name and his purpose, even if it’s only two or three.
 
The need for the presence of witnesses in verse 16 is describing a specific instance when handling a conflict. If a person doesn’t listen to a one-on-one conversation, then Jesus recommends taking “one or two others along with you, so that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses.” Having others present to witness the conversation might keep the conversations from getting misconstrued. Words can get twisted and misunderstood during courageous conversations.
 
However, I think there needs to be the presence of witnesses to also witness the presence of Christ. One person may experience the power of Christ’s reconciliation, but when another person also witnesses that experience, the divine presence is shared. A shared experience of God binds people together, which solidifies the reconciled conflict. It’s one thing to know that a conflict has been resolved, but quite another to experience that Christ was present and was the one moving hearts to forgiveness and acceptance.
 
Sometimes when we personally experience Christ’s presence, we keep it to ourselves and not share it with others. Often when this happens, we begin to question it over time. We may think we are crazy or talk ourselves out of having this divine experience. When we don’t speak it into existence, it doesn’t seem real to us. It only lives in our heads similar to a fantasy.

We need two or three to be a witness of God’s presence, so that it does become real to us. When others witness it too, then it becomes real to the community and real to the world. We need to be more open about sharing our experiences of Christ because we need to be the witnesses for the world.
 
Reflection questions:
When have you experienced Christ’s presence when two or three are gathered?
What was that experience like?
Have you experienced Christ’s reconciliation in a conflict?
How was that different from the conflict just being resolved?
Have you witnessed Christ’s presence in someone else’s experience?
 
Action: The next time you gather with others, be intentional about gathering in Jesus’ name.
             Pay attention to Christ’s presence among you.