Over the next few weeks, I’d like to share a few insights with you from Bible stories in the Old and New Testaments. Today, let’s start with an old story about Jesus.
Now when Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He was asking His disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”
And they said, “Some say John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah, or one of the other prophets.”
He said to them, “But who do you yourselves say that I am?”
Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
And Jesus said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven.”
Then He gave the disciples strict orders that they were to tell no one that He was the Christ.
(Matthew 16:13–20)
Today, I’d like to focus on Jesus’ response to Simon Peter’s declaration. He says, “Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.”
It’s interesting to see here the juxtaposition of heaven and earth:
The word “Barjona” literally means “son of Jonah.” This is the only time Jesus refers to Simon Peter’s father in the Gospels, and in the same breath He refers to His own Father. In doing so, Jesus highlights what happens when the Holy Spirit overshadows us.
- He gives us wisdom and insight [1]
- We are reborn into the family of God [2]
- The Lord builds His church [3]
- Power is given to its members [4]
The way that Jesus moves through His statements, we get a real sense of His pleasure at Peter’s declaration—like the thrill a teacher experiences when a struggling student finally grasps an important concept.
Not only has Peter recognized the truth about his Master, but that recognition is proof of the Holy Spirit’s work in his heart. Out of the fulness of that pleasure, Jesus declares: “You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church.”
You have, through the Holy Spirit, become a living stone in My temple—and it’s out of such stones My church is founded. Your declaration is the first, so you get to be at the foundation.
The gates of Hades may fight against you, but they will not prevail. I will not leave you powerless. The keys of the kingdom will be yours. Filled with My Spirit, you will use them rightly—to bind and loose the things that should bound and loosed in heaven and on earth.
You re no longer a citizen of just one realm. I am the ladder which Jacob saw the angels ascending and descending [5]. I am the connection between heaven and earth. You may be Simon Barjona, but I am also making you into a son in My kingdom. The division between heaven and earth will become much thinner for you. Remain in Me [6] and I will remain in you. You will have all that you need, and I will empower you with faith for the road ahead.
Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven; whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. [7] This is different from anything you’ve ever known. You’ve already taken the first step. Now hold My hand. Don’t look at the waves. [8] Step fully into My reality.
Oh Lord God, please fill me too! Thank you that Your joy is in me, and my joy is made complete in You. [9] Thank You that I am Your child, a citizen of Your kingdom, and that through You I have all I need. Please specially enable me for the work You have set out for me today. In Jesus’ name, amen.
NOTES
[1] See Matthew 16:17.
[2] See John 1:12–13.
[3] See Matthew 16:18.
[4] See Matthew 16:19.
[5] See John 1:51.
[6] John 15:4.
[7] See John 16:19
[8] See Matthew 14:29–31.
[9] See John 15:11.
