Teach Us to Pray, part 32: The Keys to the Kingdom of God

And He said to them, "When you pray, say: 'Father, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. 'Give us each day our daily bread. 'And forgive us our sins, For we ourselves also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation.'" (Luke 11:2-4 NASB)

We are currently studying the Model Prayer of Jesus and parsing the phrase "Your Kingdom come". Yesterday, we looked at how we receive the Kingdom of God in the form of His word and the effect it has on our lives. Today, we are exploring the "keys of the Kingdom". There are two passages of particular note and I have included them here.

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." (Matthew 16:19 NASB)

And He said to them, "Because of the littleness of your faith; for truly I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you. [ But this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting." ] (Matthew 17:20-21 NASB)

In the passage in Matthew 16, Jesus had just asked the disciples, "Who do you say that I am?" and Peter had responded with that declaration of faith and truth, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the Living God." Jesus commended his faith and promised Peter the "keys of the kingdom". That promise has made its way into the vernacular with the image of the apostle Peter standing at the pearly gates with a huge set of keys, deciding who can enter and who cannot, but that was not what Jesus intended at all. 

Instead, the word used here is kleis and is used metaphorically to indicate power and authority, specifically the power and authority to help people gain knowledge. On the day of Pentecost, Peter stood and spoke in such a way that thousands came to faith in Christ. He metaphorically opened the door to faith for them. What we forget about that day is that, after the ascension of Christ, Peter and the other disciples, along with quite a few believers, had spent weeks together in continuous prayer and worship. His power and authority flowed out of the time he had spent in prayer and fasting. His spiritual knowledge was the expected outcome of his discipline.

The passage in Matthew 17 followed the transfiguration. Jesus and the disciples who had accompanied Him to the mount of transfiguration returned to find the other disciples unsuccessfully trying to heal/cast out a demon from a boy. After Jesus healed the child, He told them that they could not heal him because of the "littleness of your faith" and also said that some things could only come out by prayer and fasting. 

How does all this relate to the keys of heaven? Matthew Henry says that the keys of the kingdom of heaven are knowledge and discipline. He related this discipline to the admitting of people into the church and disciplining sinners, and he may be absolutely correct, but I am inclined to believe that, because of his faith, Peter received the keys of knowledge and discipline so that he was able to share the gospel in a clear and concise way (knowledge), with the result that many people came to Christ through his preaching. 

Peter also had knowledge from the Holy Spirit that allowed him to know what God would have him do in healing those who were sick and performing miracles. That knowledge came from the discipline of time spent in prayer and fasting. He "loosed" people from disease and the bondage of sin and did incredible miracles in the name of Christ. His preaching and teaching "bound" them to Christ. (Of course it was the Holy Spirit working through Peter and not Peter himself doing the loosing and binding.)

The amazing thing is that you and I have been granted this same Holy Spirit that Christ gave to Peter and the other disciples. We, too, can have the faith of a mustard seed. We, too, can have the keys of knowledge and discipline, if we will. 

This binding and loosing, then, comes about only because of the permission of Jesus and the knowledge that His Spirit gives. When we spend time in prayer and when we fast, we gain insight and power. We gain important keys that help us to "lock and unlock", to "loose and bind". What does that mean to the way that we pray? I generally think that those for whom I pray (and I myself) need to be loosed from the power of Satan and that they (and I) need to be bound to the mind, heart, and will of Christ. Jesus told Peter that he would give him that authority and implied that the church would be built on the same faith that Peter had. We, too, can have power and authority, if we will. 

I don't have the power and authority of Peter, though, and you probably don't either. It grieves me to say that, but grieves me even more to realize that the reason I don't have it is not that Christ is not willing to grant me power and authority, but that I am not willing to sacrifice as Peter sacrificed to have it. Peter walked away from his business and spent his life preaching and teaching for Christ. He endured physical hardship, beatings, imprisonment, the scorn of his fellow man, and persecution that ended in a martyr's death. He did it all willingly and counted it as joy to suffer for his Lord. Peter held tight to Jesus and kept a very light hold on the things of this world.

If I lack the power of Peter, it is because I want the things of this world more than the power and authority, the knowledge and discipline that Jesus promised. I read those words, shudder at the truth of them, and recognize that it is truly pathetic. Why would I prefer comfort over the incredible delight of following Christ, even when it is hard, knowing that my eternal reward in heaven will be more than adequate recompense? This should not be.

I know that my Redeemer lives and reigns and is returning. I know that there will be a day of accountability for all the choices I have made, including my choices for or against faithfulness, boldness, and obedience. I know, yet my life often says different. My choices suggest that I doubt that I will answer for doing nothing while my brothers and sisters in Christ suffer severe persecution and death. My life implies that I do not expect to answer for doing nothing when the people Christ loves are hungry, cold, and losing their homes, their children, their way of life, all because of their faith. 

While I sit idly by and do so little, people suffer, die, enter eternity without Christ. One day, I will answer for it. One day, we will all answer for it. Time is short, and we must decide. Will we live for Christ or not? If, then, we choose to live for Christ, let us really do it. Let us embrace the Cross, embrace the discipline so that we might receive the power, the authority, the knowledge that brings transformation - first to us, and then to those whom Christ would call to Himself. 

We have a choice to make, so let's make it. Let us live like we believe. 

Start now, and keep on until Jesus calls us home. 

A Business Man's Impact (Luke 5:10)

and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, "Do not fear, from now on you will be catching men." (Luke 5:10 NASB)

The previous verse says that Simon "and all his companions" were seized with amazement because of the enormous haul of fish. This verse says that James and John, his partners, were also seized with amazement. The earlier verses indicate that there were men in the boat with Simon, but they were not his partners. Scripture uses their names here to clearly identify Simon's business partners. These three men worked together as equals and made business decisions together. They were close, and likely lifelong friends. Simon was probably the older of the three men. (We will see later that he and Jesus were the only ones who had to pay the temple tax).  The next few verses suggest that James and John looked up to Simon Peter and respected him. 

This is not the usual way they are portrayed. I've always considered Simon the less mature, less intelligent man, and somehow subservient to James and John. Now, because they were younger, I wonder if James and John had begun as apprentices to Simon and had excelled to become partners. 

You may think, "Who cares?"  The reason I mention it at all is because of the impact of one business man on those working for and with him. Hold this thought because we will look at it again tomorrow. 

Simon encountered Jesus in a life-changing way, experienced an astounding financial bonanza, and was frightened badly by those events. The first words out of Jesus's mouth are, "Don't be afraid." It seems fear is the expected and appropriate response to an encounter with Almighty God. 

Jesus went on to say, "From now on, you will be catching men." The call to follow was made with the certainty that Simon would obey, and he did. He did not ask the opinion of his partners or those working for him on the boat. Perhaps he looked at the haul of fish and realized fishing would never be the same again. Perhaps he realized he could choose the fish or the Source of the fish, but he couldn't have both. Regardless, Simon Peter chose Christ and his life was never the same again. 

Ponder the relationship between these three men. We will get back to it tomorrow. For today, consider the impact of your relationship to Jesus on the people at work and in your circle of acquaintances. What difference are you making?   Do your encounters with Christ leave you trembling in holy fear?  When Jesus calls you, is obedience your first response? 

Today, pray that our impact on those around us will be one that draws them to Jesus.  Pray that believers in our loved ones' lives will live in such a way that they will have a profound impact on them and draw them to Jesus by the clear results of Christ in their daily life. 

The gift of the fish (Luke 5: 6,7)

When they had done this, they enclosed a great quantity of fish, and their nets began to break; so they signaled to their partners in the other boat for them to come and help them. And they came and filled both of the boats, so that they began to sink. (Luke 5:6, 7 NASB)

I've always thought that Jesus gave the great haul of fish to impress Simon and recruit him as a disciple, or maybe to show who was actually Lord of the Catch. This morning, however, as I looked over this passage, two words come to mind. "Pressed down". It's a reference to a verse in Luke 6. We will visit this verse again, but I wanted a quick preview today. 

 Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure-pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return." (Luke 6:38 NASB)

Here's what happened. Peter was both obedient and generous with what God had placed in his hand (boat, employees, nets, time). He had a nevertheless faith and an obedient heart. He gave freely. He never once said he was tired. He never even mentioned that two word source of downfall to many of us, "NO", to Jesus. In response, Jesus did a miracle that simply demonstrated the way God works. He is immensely generous to us. There is no way to out give God. The fish in that boat, however, suggests it would be fun to try. 

Simon gave freely to Jesus that morning, and without any limits.  Jesus gave back to Simon with that same measure, freely and without limit. In fact, Jesus gave back so much that two boatloads of fish could not contain it. 

The Christmas season is a mixed-up hodgepodge of giving to friends and family, shopping frantically, and leaving Jesus until last. We would do well to pause, be still, and direct our generosity toward Christ and His desires first. I'm not suggesting we leave out those we love. I'm suggesting we focus our attention on Jesus during the celebration of His birth. Look for opportunities to give to Him. There is no telling what He will do in response!

Today, freely give the burden of your loved ones to Jesus. Just let Him have them. He knows your weariness and is eager to take control of the situation. Let Him. 

No sooner said than done (Luke 5:5-7)

Simon said, “Master, we’ve been fishing hard all night and haven’t caught even a minnow. But if you say so, I’ll let out the nets.” It was no sooner said than done—a huge haul of fish, straining the nets past capacity. They waved to their partners in the other boat to come help them. They filled both boats, nearly swamping them with the catch. (Luke 5:5-7 MSG)

"It was no sooner said than done." That's quite a mouthful of faith and obedience, isn't it?  Perhaps one of the reasons Jesus loved Simon so much, and kept him close at hand, was because of his instant obedience. Some might even call it impulsive, but Simon was definitely an "instantly" kind of man. 

In this brief passage, Jesus asked Simon for the use of the boat for preaching, and "it was no sooner said than done".  Simon arose from the nets he was mending, scrambled into his boat, and moved out. No grumbling or whining. He just did what Jesus said to do, despite his fatigue, lack of sleep, and pressing business responsibilities. 

Jesus said move out to deep water, and it was "no sooner said than done." Despite the fact that Simon had just returned from deep water (which he did take time to mention), "it was no sooner said than done". His recent failure in that very same place did not stop Simon from obeying, nor from obeying instantly. 

Jesus said to cast the nets, and Simon picked them up and threw them out. Those nets are heavy and hauling them back in, even empty, is no small job, especially for a man exhausted from a night of work. "It was no sooner said than done", however. Jesus said to do it, and Simon obeyed.  

It's a lesson for us, isn't it?  That Still, Small Voice speaks in our heart and we sometimes whine and complain as if He had asked us to give up all our worldly goods. If we could see the other side of our obedience, it would "no sooner be said than done". Of course we can't see the future. That's where faith is required. Faith obeys even when the outcome is unclear. Faith obeys even when the task seems pointless. Faith obeys, just because Jesus asks.   

Today, pray that the voice and direction of Christ will be crystal clear and that our obedience will be instant. Pray, too, that when the voice of Christ calls our loved ones, their response will be just as instant. 

The nevertheless obedience (Luke 5:4,5)

Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net. (Luke 5:4, 5 KJV)

We are using the King James Version today so that we can look at Simon's response and the wonderful word NEVERTHELESS. It means "in spite of" and connects Simon's statements in a wonderful way. 

In response to Jesus's command to put out into the deep water and cast his nets, Simon made his doubt about the utility of that effort crystal clear. "I've already fished all night, Jesus. We didn't catch a single fish! I don't see the point."  Maybe what Simon meant was, "I'm the best fisherman on this sea, and if I can't catch fish, they can't be caught. I know more than you about fishing!" What is so interesting is that, although Simon clearly saw it as a low-yield effort, he was willing to obey Jesus. This is where nevertheless comes onto the scene. In spite of his doubt, fatigue, and desire to get finished with the morning's work and back home for a few hours of sleep, Simon would do what Jesus said. He didn't have to understand or agree. He just obeyed. 

I'm left wondering why. Why did Simon agree to put out into the sea when he thought it was pointless. Probably Simon had heard of Jesus and the miracles He could do. Maybe he was curious and wondered. Maybe he didn't want to miss anything special, just in case. Maybe he was offering Jesus a challenge. "Let's see what You can do in these waters."  Nevertheless. In spite of. Simon agreed to do what Jesus said. 

You may be a little like Simon (and me). Maybe you, too, have a litany of reasons why the instructions of that Still Small Voice are a bad idea or would be a wasted effort. Grudging obedience is still obedience, and can be an important first step toward seeing the miraculous intervention of God. Peter's uncertainty was not a problem because of one word. Nevertheless. Nevertheless, Peter would obey. 

The next time you are inclined to doubt that Still Small Voice, tack your doubt to nevertheless. Doubt if you must, but obey anyway. What blessings await! 

The fish were in the deep water, but Simon would not have caught them if not for NEVERTHELESS. What can God do with your "nevertheless obedience"? 

Today, pray that we and our loved ones would have  a willingness to obey that transcends our doubts. Pray for a "nevertheless obedience".  

Deep water (Luke 5:4)

When He had finished speaking, He said to Simon, "Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch." (Luke 5:4 NASB)

Deep water. 

Simon had already been in deep water, and likely shallow water too, in a vain attempt to catch fish. Jesus didn't care about his previous efforts or his previous casts at depth. Jesus was sending him back. "Head to the deep," He said. Certainly there are more fish in deeper water than in the shallows, but there is something amazing about the deepest water. 

Scientists long believed that the deepest ocean waters were void of life. Without light, no plants could grow, and, it was believed, there would be nothing to support life. In 2009, the Nereus, a research vessel from Woods Institute, made a series of dives to explore the deepest areas it could reach. At more than 10,000 meters below sea level, they found that pressure and darkness are greatest, while the food supply is rich and comes in the form of "marine snow", consisting of organic matter than drifts down from above. (Now that's a nice manna analogy, isn't it?) In the darkness, many of the creatures that live in the depths exhibit phosphorescence. They glow in the darkness. Wow! Pretty amazing! 

Jesus had more than fish in a net on His mind that day. Simon didn't know it yet, but Jesus was inviting him to cast his net into deep water spiritually, as well. Simon would soon experience utter dependence upon provision from above, the battle against the darkness of Hell itself, and the incredible pressure of Christ's mission to bring truth and light to a dark and perishing world. Simon was about to go into deep water with Jesus in more ways than one, and he would be changed forever.  Eventually, he would have a spiritual glow of his own. It is too soon in Luke's gospel to see that now, but we will. 

Jesus was not just inviting Peter into the deep water. His words still resonate today. "Put out into deep water." The deeps are the least explored, but the place of greatest adventure. It's where the fun really begins. Are you willing to move out to the deeps? Are you ready to experience the grand adventure that Jesus longs to share with you?

Today, pray that we and our loved ones will stop holding back. Pray we will boldly go where Jesus leads, even when it is into the deepest water. No more holding back. 

Come on in! The water's really nice out here!

Lord of the Boat (Luke 5:4)

When He had finished speaking, He said to Simon, "Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch." (Luke 5:4 NASB)

After He finished speaking, Jesus the stone mason/builder/itinerant preacher turned His attention to Peter. If I had been Peter, I would have been expecting a thank you for my assistance. Remember that Peter had already spent the night casting heavy nets into the sea, dragging them out empty, then starting the cycle all again. Despite his physical and emotional exhaustion, what Peter received was not thanks. It was another work assignment. 

There were no engines to start and move his boat. When Jesus told Peter to put out into deep water, he meant physically row the boat, until the sails catch the wind, and move out to deep water. It was more than just a one-man job. Peter would have to put his employees to work as well. Jesus was not just asking Peter for physical work, nor just to overcome his exhaustion. Those employees would not likely work for free. Jesus was asking for a financial investment in obedience, as well. 

How very interesting. Jesus was about to bless Peter in an astounding way, but before He did, Jesus made sure that Peter was willing to put the direction of his finances in Jesus's capable hands. Just think what Peter would have missed if he had said, "Jesus, my men are tired and they are going to want time and a half for this wasted trip. The fish aren't biting." It's an amazing thought, isn't it? Jesus wants to be Lord of the boat and the employees, as well as the salary that pays them. 

There is no way to know in advance what Jesus will do with finances that are surrendered to Him. What Peter found, however, was that surrender was worth it. Perhaps your finances stand in the way of the blessings Jesus has planned. Is He directing the outlay of every cent? If not, why not invite Him to take charge of every aspect of your life, including finances. Like Peter, you will find He can be trusted. 

Today, pray that neither we nor or our loved ones will allow financial considerations to stand in the way of the plan Jesus has for us. 

One in a crowd (Luke 5:2,3)

and He saw two boats lying at the edge of the lake; but the fishermen had gotten out of them and were washing their nets. And He got into one of the boats, which was Simon's, and asked him to put out a little way from the land. And He sat down and began teaching the people from the boat. (Luke 5:2, 3 NASB)

Little Jewish boys in the first century started their education in the local synagogue. Those who were the brightest and best stayed in school and eventually became rabbis or scribes, Pharisees or Saducees. They were the religious scholars of the day. Those who were not "top of the class" eventually left school to become tradesmen. Peter had left to become a fisherman. He may have always wanted to fish, and it may have fulfilled a lifetime dream, but on the days when he worked as hard as he could, casting the net for hours without a single fish, it probably looked less appealing. He may have wished he'd stayed in school. Maybe he wished for a change. You may say that is just "thinkology" but events in a few verses will show that he quickly embraced change when the opportunity arose. 

Perhaps there was something in the way he was cleaning his nets that suggested to Jesus that Peter might be ready for something else. Regardless, there were two boats and two sets of fishermen, but the fisherman He addressed that day was Peter. 

Peter was not just a stinky fisherman and he was not just one of a crowd to Jesus. Our Lord saw him as one IN a crowd. He saw Peter as an individual and spoke directly to him.  This tired, dirty, smelly, frustrated man was not too tired, dirty, smelly, or frustrated for Jesus. What good news that is for us! No matter our current condition, we are not too terrible for Jesus. He can change everything in a moment, if we are willing. 

Today, pray that Jesus will look past our personal heart condition to see the person He intended us to become and that He will move in us to make us more like Him. Pray, too for our loved ones to be so weary in their wandering that they are ready to be found. May the call of Jesus come quickly and the response be prompt. 

The move the boat yes (Luke 5:1-3)

Now it happened that while the crowd was pressing around Him and listening to the word of God, He was standing by the lake of Gennesaret; and He saw two boats lying at the edge of the lake; but the fishermen had gotten out of them and were washing their nets. And He got into one of the boats, which was Simon's, and asked him to put out a little way from the land. And He sat down and began teaching the people from the boat. (Luke 5:1-3 NASB)

Fishermen on the Sea of Galilee are fishing for tilapia. Most of their fishing is done after dark, so these fishermen were likely exhausted after a long, non-productive night. They were cleaning their nets and preparing to go home to sleep for a few hours. A crowd had gathered around Jesus, listening to Him teach and, without pews to contain them, they were pressing closer and closer to Jesus. As a result, He was at the edge of the water, near the two fishing boats. 

Jesus looked at the crowd pressing in, looked at the boats, and stepped onto one of them. "Peter," he said, "Do you mind putting out a little from the shore so I can teach from your boat?" Peter, exhausted, discouraged, disappointed, impulsive Peter, who was really just trying to get home for breakfast and a few hours of sleep, could have said no. I would have expected him to say no.  But with a yes that changed his life forever, Peter got back in the boat, the place of a complete failure the night before, and moved the boat out. 

It's interesting to me that a single decision, seemingly  inconsequential at the time, can result in radical change. By this time, Jesus had relocated to Capernaum, Peter's hometown. He likely already knew Peter on some level. When He invaded Peter's business, however, Peter came to know Jesus in a new and deeper way. That decision to move the boat ended up changing everything for Peter, and it began with a simple yes. It wasn't a "salvation yes" nor a "rededication yes". It was just a "move the boat yes," but it started a sequence of events with lasting consequences that still affect us more than 2000 years later. 

Today, pray that our loved ones will be 

given an opportunity to make a "move the boat" type decision that actually moves them closer to Christ. Pray that, when the choice is offered, they will say yes, and that their "yes" will be the starting point for lasting change.