Alternate Plans
Bible Order: Exod 24–26
Chronological Order: Gen 35–37

 

You Have The Keys

Matthew 16:13–28

In these few short verses today we have two extremely controversial statements by Christ that continue to confound many to this very day.  One of these statements has become a wedge that divides the body of Christ.

Matthew 16:18 ESV

“And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”

Jesus began this conversation by challenging His disciples to properly identify Him.  There was much controversy among the people of that day as to who Jesus was.  Was He a prophet like Jeremiah?  Was He the resurrected Elijah as promised in the Bible?  Was He John the Baptist, that is to say a great teacher, but nothing more?  These were the various opinions being bandied about as Jesus walked the Holy Land.  It is confession of Jesus as the Son of God which leads to salvation.  It is this very question “Who is Christ?” which every person to this day must answer for themself.

Now Peter, being led by the Holy Spirit answered “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the Living God.”  Peter’s answer resulted in Jesus telling him that he was blessed because flesh and blood had not revealed this to him.  Now wait a minute.  Wasn’t it Jesus who mentored Peter and the other disciples?  Why would this have been revealed by God in Heaven rather than by Jesus on Earth?  Some of us today wish we could have been there 2,000 years ago and sat at the Master’s feet as He taught.  We seem to think it would have made belief in who He is somehow easier.  Evidently not.  It was the Holy Spirit who revealed the identity of Christ to Peter and the others back then just as He does today.

Okay so now we have this statement that “on this rock I will build my church”.  Some believe that Jesus was saying that He would build His church on Peter or on his efforts.  The Catholic church believes it is this very verse that gives the Pope spiritual authority over all Christians.  Well this verse and the next:

Matthew 16:19 ESV

“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.”

Others believe that verse 18 refers to the idea that a confession of faith in Jesus Christ is that upon which Christ will build His church.  Still others believe that Jesus is saying He will build His church upon Himself.  I find the first interpretation rather tortured and flimsy.  I view the other two as rather viable.  Let’s take a closer look at verse 18 shall we?

“You are Peter and on this rock I will build my church”.  In the original Greek we read “You are Petros and upon this petra I will build my church.” “Petros” means “a little piece of rock” and “petra” means “bedrock”.  Now clearly Jesus is using a play on words to communicate a truth.  Is that truth that He will build His church on one little rock, one rather week minded and week willed fisherman nicknamed “little rock”, or is it that He will build His church on something more substantial like bedrock?  Is that bedrock a confession of who Jesus Christ is or is Jesus Christ Himself?  I can almost see Jesus pointing to Peter as He says “little rock” and to Himself as He says “bedrock”.  Can you?

My current favorite biblical commentator is J. Vernon McGee and he thought it is upon Jesus Himself that His church is being built.  I can’t argue with this but the entire context of the conversation revolves around a confession of Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God.  It seems to me we are splitting hairs.  The church is built upon Jesus the Christ and a confession that He is the Christ for no one comes to the Father except through Him – not through Peter.

Where in Scripture does it say that Peter will pass on this alleged spiritual authority to only one person at a time?  I’m afraid some weak Pope centuries ago saw in scripture a perversion that would allow him more power.  He twisted scripture to suit his own desires for power.  I am sorry for him.  Meeting his maker must have been rather uncomfortable for him.

All of this, however, brings us to the issue of Peter being given the keys to the kingdom of heaven and the power to bind and set free.  What are the keys of heaven?  I’m afraid I do disagree with Mr. McGee who says that the keys are the Word of God.  I’m sorry but I just don’t see that.  Keys unlock an entry way.  Can Scripture open the door to heaven?  No, I’m afraid many a non-believer has read the Scriptures and walked away as lost and banished as when they started.

What allows us in to Heaven?  Jesus Christ allows us in to Heaven.  His bloody death and glorious resurrection open the door for us.  By confessing Jesus as the Christ, the One who died, was buried, and was raised three days later just as Scripture foretold, one gains forgiveness for one’s sins and entry to Heaven.  So Jesus is the key as is confession of who He is.  But what about this binding and loosing business?

When we don’t share Christ with a lost person they are bound on Earth and excluded from Heaven.  When we share Christ, and the Holy Spirit draws that person to saving faith in Him, that person is set free on Earth and gains entry to Heaven for eternity.  The promise of the keys to Heaven was not a promise to Peter alone but to every Christian as we each are given the keys and the responsibility to set people free with them.

Did you realize you have the power to set people free?  You do in that you can share Christ.  You can’t save anyone, only the work of the Holy Spirit can work that miracle just as He did with Peter, but if you don’t share Christ with the lost they will be forever doomed.

Okay I guess I’m going to have to hit the second controversy quickly.

Matthew 16:28 ESV

“Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”

Jesus has not yet returned and all the people who heard Jesus speak are long dead.  How can this statement by Jesus be true?  I don’t have space to go into detail but tomorrow we are going to read about the transfiguration of Christ.  It was at the moment that Peter, James, and John witnessed the transfiguration of Jesus that His prophecy was fulfilled.  These three saw the Son of Man coming in his kingdom at that very moment.

Let me ask you, where do you think Jesus is right now?  You say Heaven right?  Brothers, that is His Kingdom.  Those three fellows saw Jesus as He is today.  This is not a dud of a prophecy.  It has already happened.

Okay, I’m closing in on 1,200 words so I’ll have to leave it all at that.  Let me know what you think and have a blessed day!

Your brother and servant in Christ,

Bill

Dying to self, living to serve!

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