Daily Devotionals

Bowen's Daily Meditations

Devotional: June 3rd

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

We cross sea and land to visit the holy places. We exult to look upon the wretched city that bears the name of the place where Christ was condemned to death. We say, this stream he crossed, this mountain he stood upon, this valley he traversed, this shore he visited, in this town he was born, in this place he was brought up. Romanists, Greeks, Armenians, who know of no other holy places, jostle us and outstrip us. But the question, " Where is Christ to be found now?" is far more important than the question, where he once was. " The world seeth me no more and thinketh of me in the past, but ye see me. The hour cometh when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father; but when true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth." The little companies that come together in upper chambers and bye places, in the name of Christ, remembering his promises, seeking his presence, cherishing his spirit, honoring his word - in these little companies Christ is to be found.

Is it possible that any one should be a lover of Christ and not a lover of these assemblies? That they should be a weariness to the world, we can understand. But alas! there are thousands who profess to be his, who never dream of frequenting these meetings of believers, held in honor of Christ, for communion with Christ. These believers behold Christ in one another. They speak his words; entertain his desires; occupy themselves with his resolutions. He is present in their characters, modeled upon his. He is present in the word which they read, hearken to, believe. He is the subject of their conversation. They dwell upon his life, sufferings, and love. He is present by the Spirit, that takes of him and shows unto them. They are convinced of sin, confess it, and forsake it. They behold his glory, and rejoice greatly in him. Such effects of Christ’s words and glances often take place in these meetings, as greatly surpass what took place when he was visibly present with those twelve disciples of old. He is present as a righteous advocate and intercessor. They are his plenipotentiaries. He gives them their instructions, and clothes them with power.

If Christ be in these assemblies, then are they the true centers from whence the mightiest influences flow abroad over the world. Divine wisdom, truth, power and love, must be added to the folly, weakness, ignorance, erringness, of the two or three that meet in his name, in order that we may form a just estimate of the moral value of these meetings. Some of the grandest revolutions in society, have their origin here.

-