17 Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. 18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” 20 Then he warned his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Christ.
Here the Lord Jesus gives a high five to Pete for rightly responding to the question of exactly Who Christ was. Peter’s response brought forth a commendation from His Master’s lips and he was blessed for having stated this correct conclusion. Those are blessed indeed whom Christ pronounces blessed. Jesus adds, however, that this right response of the knowledge of this Truth came not from Peter’s great astute ability rather it was revealed to him by God Who is the Author of all things nevertheless it remained a mighty thing for him to believe it. Christ reminds Peter of his origin – “Simon son of Jonah” – in order to see he was not born into this dignity rather it was bestowed through Divine favor and free grace. Peter showed himself to be “a” rock but not “the” Rock on which the Church was to be built. Christ was introducing the work of building the Church on Himself – the Cornerstone. Later Peter writes:
4 As you come to him, the living Stone--rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him-- 5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For in Scripture it says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.”7 Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, “The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone, 8 and, “A stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall.” They stumble because they disobey the message--which is also what they were destined for. 9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 1 Peter 2:4-10 (NIV)
Paul also writes regarding this sure Foundation in 1 Corinthians:
10 By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds. 11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. 1 Cor 3:10-11 (NIV)
In our verses for today Christ is filling His guys in on the future work of building His Church for the process had not yet begun. Even His death would not prevent this plan – “the gates of Hades will not overcome it” – the Jewish hearers would have understood this to mean physical death. This Church would begin to build on the Day of Pentecost and Peter as well as the other disciples would have important roles in it. A “key” was a sign of authority as a trusted steward would keep the keys to his master’s possessions and dispense them according to his master’s orders. A steward is a caretaker who holds something in trust for the behalf of others – upholding what is best for others. In similar fashion, Peter was given the “keys” to implement the directives given from God. He, as well as the others, would be dispensers of the precious Truths from God. The building of the Church would be a progressive work built on the strong, firm and lasting foundation of Christ which time would waste nor storms nor death overcome.
“Privilege accepted should be responsibility accepted.” Madeleine L’Engle
Remember, Peter had the privilege to proclaim the Gospel on the Day of Pentecost and to announce to all who responded in saving faith that their sins were forgiven:
38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off--for all whom the Lord our God will call.” 40 With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” 41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. Acts 2:38-41 (NIV)