Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me." - Matthew 28:18
Love is the master key that opens the gates of happiness. - Oliver Wendell Holmes
Keys mean authority.
Keys give you access and permission.
Jesus cuts keys.
When Jesus triumphed over darkness and sin at the Cross and was resurrected, conquering death’s sting, he spoke these words to his disciples before the ascension.
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
We all too often focus on the “Go and Make Disciples” part. That’s not the most important part.
The most important part is “All Authority has been given to Me.” It begs the question: Where was the Authority before?
Answer: In the hands of the enemy; Satan and the kingdom of darkness. Paul called him the prince of this dark world (Eph. 2:2).
The scriptures tell of Jesus descending into hell and taking the keys (Rev. 1:17-19).
The first time mankind got authority was in the garden. Keys were cut for us and we were put in charge. Satan came and stole them, bringing death and separation. Jesus conquered death and took back the keys, then did the most outrageous thing: he cut keys again and now shares them with his friends! He shares his power and authority to see his mission, ministry, and will carried out by his deputies: all those who know him and aspire to learn to live his life; to do what he did, carry on, and see this war won and prisoners set free. If we're going to unlock the captives, we had better have some keys!
Now when Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” And they answered, “Some say John the Baptist; others, Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah, or [just] one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed), the Son of the living God.” Then Jesus answered him, “Blessed [happy, spiritually secure, favored by God] are you, Simon son of Jonah, because flesh and blood (mortal man) did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. And I say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades (death) will not overpower it [by preventing the resurrection of the Christ]. I will give you the keys (authority) of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind [forbid, declare to be improper and unlawful] on earth will have [already] been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose [permit, declare lawful] on earth will have [already] been loosed in heaven. -Matthew 16:14-19 (AMP)
NOW that is some cool stuff!
One of my great challenges in life, a regular occurrence with me, is the question:
Where are my keys?
I don’t mean to mishandle them or misplace them. It is usually when I am distracted and moving about in the morning, pulling things together and I set them down in order to pick something else up.
For much of my life, I lost the keys that Jesus cut for me and did not live in power and authority. Trying not to sin is different then living victoriously. The key difference? Using the keys, wielding authority, and demonstrating the power that comes with the key-bearing privilege of being a beloved son of God.
Find your keys, get in the battle, start setting prisoners free starting with your own heart. That is why Jesus cut keys for you. Oh yes, you can be a believer and still live mostly in a prison cell of the enemy. I know. But that is not the life Jesus intended and not the life I live now and it is not the life for you. You and I have been set free.
I invite you to exercise your power and authority ... loose something today, bind something … use your keys, that is why Jesus gave them to you.
Jesus approached and, breaking the silence, said to them, "All authority (all power of rule) in heaven and on earth has been given to Me." - Matthew 28:18 (AMP)
Jesus, I also sincerely embrace you as my authority and rule, my everlasting victory over Satan and his kingdom, and I receive all the work and triumph of your Ascension, whereby Satan has been judged and cast down,[33] his rulers and authorities disarmed,[34] all authority in heaven and on earth given to you, Jesus, [35] and I have been given fullness in you, the head over all. [36] I take my place in your Ascension, whereby I have been raised with you to the right hand of the Father and established with you in all authority.[37] I bring your authority and your kingdom rule over my life, my family, my household, and my domain.
An excerpt from The Daily Prayer Memory Verse Cards.
