Read Matthew 16:17-20. I Would Love The Keys To Heaven.
When Simon told Jesus that he recognized him as “The Son of the most High God,” Jesus was impressed with the heart of Simon. It wasn’t what Simon said, but the heart behind what he said. Jesus could tell Simon was open to follow Jesus with all of his heart. It was then Jesus said your name is no longer Simon but you will be called Petros meaning Peter which means “The Rock.” Then Jesus said, “It is upon This Rock I will build my church and the Gates of Hades or Hell shall not overcome it.” This is quite an honor and a very high calling. Jesus is the foundation of the Christian faith and Peter was told he would be a rock (upon the foundation of Jesus) that God would use to build his church, the body of believers. This was fulfilled as Peter took the message of the Kingdom of Heaven to the Jews (Acts 2:38-39) and to the non-Jews (Acts 10:34-44). 1 Peter 2:4-5 says that all believers become one of the Living Stones that Jesus uses to build his church, a holy church.
Jesus went on to say that “I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven and whatever you Bind on Earth shall be bound in heaven and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” The Greek text literally says, “Whatever you bind on Earth shall have been bound in heaven and whatever you loose on Earth shall have been loosed in heaven.” This gives a different perspective on this passage. It seems to imply that the power of binding and loosening is not from us, but from the Holy Spirit, and whatever the Holy Spirit binds or loosens, may we be sensitive to the work of the Holy Spirit and be obedient to his calling in our lives to bind that which is destructive to the Gospel and loosen that which needs set free from the enemy. May we go forward in the name of Jesus and proclaim the message of Jesus to a lost world. We are empowered by the Holy Spirit. We don’t have to rely on ourselves for we have Christ in us so that the Gates of Hell will not prevail.
Thank you Jesus for allowing me, as a part of the body of Christ, to have the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Thank you for this High calling to bind the enemy and loosen the grip the devil has on your people. Use me as one of your living stones, by making me holy first, and then empower me to reach lost souls.
