Issue 863 – Beyond the Garden Gate – September 25. 2022
This faded purple garden gate caught my eye as we were out walking. Someone with a better eye for colour than I have will likely argue that it is a specific shade of purple, but I am content with calling it that.
This little garden gate creates a visual barrier between the public walking path and the private garden beyond. The yard and garden were a peaceful-looking oasis.
Gates can keep us in, or they can restrain us from entering. Some, like this little purple gate, can be easily bypassed. Others, like the gates in prison, are designed to fortify and be difficult to breach.
In Matthew’s gospel, we encounter a frequently disputed passage.
Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Matthew 18:13-18
In the Roman Catholic tradition, the rock that the church was to be built upon was Peter himself. The protestant position is that the rock was the confession that Jesus is the Christ. However you choose to interpret that part of the passage (and I am Protestant), what follows it is important.
The gates of hell shall not prevail against the church. Many people believe the gates are designed to keep hell and the enemy at bay. God has already accomplished that; the enemy has limitations he cannot exceed.
The church is designed to be offensive as well as defensive. We proclaim the gospel’s message into the very centre of the enemy’s territory. It goes forth, calling people from death to life. The enemy cannot hold back the truth; his gates cannot withstand the truth or the love of Christ.
Certainly, not all people who hear the gospel will respond. We know from the Scriptures that only a remnant will choose the truth. Still, the enemy cannot stop the church in her mission.
He might slow her in places, making her less than perfectly efficient, but Satan cannot prevail. He is already defeated and righted a rearguard action.
Many in the world are hostile to the gospel of grace and will try to stop its proclamation. They cannot succeed.
Through Christ, we have victory, and that is something to celebrate.
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Be blessed
Hallelu Yah / Praise God
Kevin
Gleanings From The Word
Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life.
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Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is from the English Standard Version (ESV).
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