Speaking in Literal Metaphors

Scripture: And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” Matthew 16:18-19

Observation: Simon declares the belief that Jesus is the Messiah, and Jesus immediately declares that Simon's name is now Peter, meaning rock, then expounds upon this. However, while it may appear he is talking about Peter, there is also a more likely interpretation that there is wordplay here. Jesus calls the man "rock," but from then on he is talking about a different "rock" and a different person's mission. Instead, the "rock" is the truth Peter has declared. Therefore, Jesus is saying:

-- This truth - Jesus is Messiah - will be the foundational principle of the church.
-- Satan himself cannot stand up against anything built upon that truth.
-- The church will be the gateway to heaven, because faith in Messiah is the gateway to heaven.
-- Whomever declares that truth as witnessed by the church on earth will be bound to heaven.
-- Whomever declares against that truth will be lost to heaven.

In other words, the Church on earth is the group that believes Jesus is Messiah, and it is faith in that truth that provides all hope and all authority and all foundation in life.

Application: Jesus did love wordplay. He can rename Peter "rock" while discussing the foundational truth of the universe. It is also in these wordplays we see the power of God, as he can make all variations of the wordplay come true ... establishing the church based on faith, empowering Peter to be the first teacher of that truth, then building the largest church on top of Peter's grave. God does this throughout the bible - inspiring a prophetic statement that has multiple meanings, then having all the meanings including the literal concept come to pass - so of course Jesus can do this, too.

Where is God doing this in my life? Where is he guiding me, my wife, and my family, where we may believe he is telling us to do something metaphorical, but he will lead us to both a metaphorical and literal result? As I find new promises from God in my life, I should certainly look for these.

Prayer: Lord, I think you for the guidance in my life. May I watch for your direction, and know that you may be telling me many things with just a few words. I will not get locked into one concept, for I see your ways. Amen.