Keys of the Kingdom
Jesus said to Peter, ‘I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven…’
(Matthew 16.19)
Keys are interesting objects. Locks protect us and our belongings.
Keys open up our doors and let us in. To give someone your key is to express faith in them.
Peter fulfilled this role as we can see in the Acts of the Apostles, when he preached about Jesus
to the Jewish people on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2) and to the Gentiles in the house
of Cornelius (Acts 10). They entered the kingdom of heaven when they repented and turned
to Jesus for forgiveness. Our prayer must be that he will use us too, to bring the good news to people around us,
not forgetting the poor, the disabled, the sick and those in prison.
Question for thought: Do I pray for friends and neighbours that they will enter God’s kingdom?
Almighty God, we give you thanks that the good news of Jesus Christ has spread throughout the world.
We pray this week for the Dioceses of Mbhashe in South Africa, Kitgum in Uganda, Ukewa
and Ilesa in South Nigeria, Central Melanesia in the Solomon Islands and our members in Tasmania
as they care for those in their communities who are in need. May they share your great love
that they will know the peace of God which passes all understanding. Amen.