June 24

JUNE 24.—“In my Name.”—Matthew 18:20.

WE have seen that no stress is to be laid on the circumstances of the worship. But it is otherwise with the nature of it. The place and the number of the assembly are nothing—“where”—let it be where it will: “two or three”—if there be no more—“are gathered together,” it is enough—if they are “gathered together IN HIS NAME.” But this is essential to Christian worship. What is the meaning of the requisition?

We cannot do it in his Name, unless we do it by his authority. This import of the phrase is too obvious to require proof or exemplification. Jesus is the Judge and the King in his Church; his will is made known in his word: to this our appeal is to be made in all spiritual concerns: it is the only rule by which we are to walk. It matters not who enjoins, if he forbids, or who forbids, if he enjoins—To the law and to the testimony. Nothing is binding on the conscience without his sanction: but his followers must say, “All the Lord commandeth us we will do”—And because he commands it.

We cannot do it in his Name unless we do it for his sake. When a speaker says, “in the name of reason and common sense;” he means, by the respect which it is supposed men are ready to pay to them. If in arguing with a rebellious child I was to plead “in the name of her who bore him,” I should be understood to mean, by the affection he owed to so dear a relation. And when our Lord speaks of our “receiving a little child in his name,” he means from regard to himself—or because we are desirous of serving and honouring him. He always demands a supreme regard from his disciples. He tells them that whoever loves father, or mother, or wife, or child, more than himself, is not worthy of him. And he deserves what he requires. And when we are brought to know him, we shall feel no reluctance thus to regard his dear Name. “How much do I owe him! What has he not done for me? He has made, preserved, redeemed, saved me. When I consider the state in which he found me—the condition to which he has advanced me—and the awful and expensive manner in which he has accomplished my salvation; I feel that I am not my own. Speak, Lord, for thy servant heareth. Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?” And does he require us to sanctify his day, to repair to his house, to hear his word, to address his throne, to approach his table; we shall not only do it, but—it is the nature of love, we shall do it with pleasure; and the duty will be found our privilege.

We cannot do it in his Name, unless we do it in a dependance on his mediation. Now there are two things which we must rely upon him for. The one is, assistance. We can only serve him in strength derived from him. These are his own words, “Abide in me. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me: for without me ye can do nothing.” Our work is great, and we are weak; but his grace is sufficient for us. The service asks the utmost spirituality, and we feel every thing but a suitableness to it, when we engage: but “the preparation of the heart, and the answer of the tongue, are from the Lord.” The supply of his Spirit helpeth our infirmities,