Matthew 16:13-20  This time Jesus goes to Caesarea Philippi, to the mountainous area in the north of Israel's territory.  He has an important question for His disciples.. "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?"  The general consensus, they answer,  is that Jesus is a prophet.. some people even thought He was a reincarnation of John the Baptist, Jeremiah, or Elijah. 

 "But who do you say I am?"  Jesus asks.. and Peter answers, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God."  This revelation was given to Peter by the "Father who is in heaven." It comes from outside of Peter's understanding.. outside of his intelligence.. outside of his education.  This Truth is revealed to each of us by the Spirit of God.. and no other way. 

Jesus takes this time.. to transition His focus from Who He is to who Peter would be.. "And I also say to you that you are Peter (a stone), and upon this rock ( bedrock) I will build My church; and the gates of Hades shall not overpower it."   The church - "ekklesia" - called out ones, the assembly, the community. 

The Church is called the Body of Christ.. the Bride of Christ.. the building that Christ is constructing here on earth. It is the church that receives "the keys of the kingdom of heaven."  The Church is given the responsibility to "bind on earth" what is bound in heaven and to "loose on earth" what is loosed in heaven. 

Just think about the connection.. the union.. the oneness..  of the Church on earth.. to the activity and will of heaven-  It is with such utter dependence and complete submission to the will of the Savior that we must use these "keys".   These are His keys.. as Jesus said in Revelation 1:18 "I am the first and the last and the living One; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades. "  And 3:7 "He who is holy, who is true, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, and who shuts and no one opens.. "

Father in heaven, help us to understand this Truth.  Help us to take up the work of the Church that You desire for us and have called us to do - to open the doors of the kingdom that others might come to Jesus.  May we bind the things of this world that keep people in bondage to the evil one.. which leads to death and hell.  Jesus, fill Your church with the almighty power of Your Spirit to go through the doors You open.. to hold fast.. to overcome the gates of Hades.. to obey Your commands with complete surrender and love fully and completely as You have loved us.. to the praise and glory of Your Name. We are Your church. Your Body.. Your Bride.. May Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Amen.