November 9

“And I also say unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church.” Matthew 16:18

Remember that shortly after this the Lord had to say to Simon Peter, “Get behind me, Satan.” How could a man overcome by Satan be used to build up a Church against which the gates of Hades were to prove ineffective? We know he could not. Although Simon had received the name Petros, “a rock," his character did not correspond to his name; so as yet he was unable to use the keys of the kingdom.

No one who is of an irresolute temperament can exercise a ministry of opening the doors to welcome men into life. There must be a correspondence between the character of the minister and the confident, even defiant, truth he ministers; namely, that Jesus has died and risen again victorious over death. For Peter, that still lay ahead. But alas, death’s gates do prevail over much Christian work, because his servants lack that confidence! Praise God—the cross of Christ released resources enough to transform Peter and to deliver from death all who place their trust in Christ.