Matthew 16:13-19
Observation: In this crucial moment, Peter confesses Jesus as Messiah. Jesus Christens him "Peter" (The Greek word "Petros" means "Rock") and says, "on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it." In traditional Roman Catholic teaching, this is seen as the moment when Peter becomes leader of the Church: the first Pope. Protestant readers tend to think of his confession of Jesus as Messiah as the real rock on which the Church is built.
Application: If you haven't heard my position on 80's movies, I'm pro-80's movies. This verse reminds me of the movie "Labyrinth," in which the protagonist, Sarah, and her friends find themselves surrounded, outnumbered, and pinned down in a village full of hostile goblins. When all hope seems lost, big, lovable Ludo calls on his "friends", an army of rocks that rolls into town, knocking out goblins left and right. The day is saved.
What on earth does this have to do with Peter's confession? I'm glad you asked...As my New Testament professor, Mark Allen Powell observed, when Jesus says, "The gates of Hades will not prevail against it," he is clearly not picturing the Church as a staid, static fortress, just sitting there, repelling attacks from evil. "A gate cannot attack you!" Jesus' language implies an army invading Hell itself, blowing those locked gates to Kingdom Come... Literally! He's picturing a Hell utterly emptied of its power, and probably its inhabitants as well. He's picturing a rock who's willing to "get rolling", even into the places in our world, and within ourselves, where evil seems utterly and intractably in charge.
Jesus is God's Anointed Messiah, and he fights by our side, with weapons of the Spirit. No prison can withstand him. Those gates don't stand a chance.
Prayer: Jesus, you are the Messiah, Son of the Living God. When my faith in you falters, send your help rolling in. As you did for Peter, help your whole Church get rolling. Amen.
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