During my pilgrimage to the Promised Land, I traveled to the Gates of Hell.

A cave called the “Gates of Hell” is located in a park near Caesarea Philippi.

The Ancients thought that caves were literally entrances to the Underworld. This was especially true of caves where water flowed out—such as at the cave near Caesarea Philippi where water once flowed from the cave.

My first reaction when I stood almost 100 yards from the Gates of Hell was that the cave was huge. Some people stood near the entrance. It seemed as if the cave could easily swallow people.

But then, my attention shifted to the immense rock cliff that towers over the Gates of Hell. In comparison to the rock cliff, the Gates of Hell seemed tiny. The towering rock could easily crush the Gates of Hell.

As we stood there contemplating the gigantic rock towering over the tiny Gates of Hell, our tour guide read the relevant passage from Matthew.

As you may recall, Peter said to Jesus, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” (Matthew 16:16).

Jesus praised Peter (whose name means “rock”) (Matthew 16:17 and note).

Then Jesus said, “[O]n this rock I will build my church, and the Gates of Hades will not overcome it.” (Matthew 16:18).

Theologians dispute the exact ramifications of this statement.

Was Jesus empowering Peter to include non-Jews in the Church Universal? (See Acts 10, 11 and 15).

Was Jesus empowering Peter and his successors to be the head of the Church Universal—to be a Pope?

But when you stand at the Gates of Hell with the rock cliff towering above you, there can be no doubt what the main point of Jesus was.

Like the immense, towering rock cliff, his Church Universal will crush the Gates of Hell!

How?

The First Epistle of Peter explains with another illustration that refers to rocks—though this time the rocks are “living stones”.

Peter wrote to those who come to Jesus—“the living Stone”. (1 Peter 2:4).

Peter told us that those of us who come to Jesus are like “living stones . . .  being built into a [temple of the Spirit] to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 2:5 and note).

The Living Stone—Jesus Christ—has become the cornerstone of this temple of the Spirit.

This Living Stone overcomes the Gates of Hell themselves, causing people who do not trust in the LORD to stumble and fall. (1 Peter 2:8). Why? Because they disobey the message from the LORD. (1 Peter 2:8).

In striking contrast, those who hear and obey the message from the LORD become the immense, towering rock that overcomes the Gates of Hell.

If we focus only on the size of our individual achievements, the Darkness of the Gates of Hell appears huge—invulnerable to our puny efforts.

But if we focus on the cumulative effects of all the living stones who follow the Living Stone—we take heart!

We find the faith to believe that the Light we serve is bright enough to vanquish any Darkness! (John 1:4-5).

We find the faith to believe that things that seem impossible for us acting as individuals become possible when the One Spirit of the One LORD guides our many individual actions.

Why?

Because, as Jesus told us, what is impossible for humans is possible for God! (Luke 18:27).

And so, Peter declares us to be “a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession.” (1 Peter 2:9).

For what purpose?

To crush the Gates of Hell!

How?

By “declar[ing] the praises of [Jesus] who called [us] out of darkness into his wonderful light” (1 Peter 2:9)

By declaring the praises of Jesus, who calls us out of the Darkness at the Gates of Hell into his wonderful Light. (John 1:1-5,9,12-14).

QUESTIONS TO THINK ABOUT

When have the “Gates of Hell” seemed overpowering in your life?

When have the “Gates of Hell” seemed overpowering in your civilization?

When have you seen the Light of the Church Universal overcome the Darkness of the “Gates of Hell” in your life? How did this happen? How is this happening?

When have you seen the Light of the Church Universal overcome the Darkness of the “Gates of Hell” in your civilization? How did this happen? How is this happening?

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For related thoughts, please read my blogs “The Webb Space Telescope: E Pluribus Unum”, “The Webb Space Telescope: Many Parts. One System!”, “Hiding in Plain Sight”, “Individuals and Systems, Now and Forever, One and Inseparable”, “Spilling Coffee”, “Overcoming Divisions”, “Healing with Psalms: Light Overcoming Darkness”,  and “Spreading Light and Overcoming Darkness the Way of Jesus”.

For a discussion why I do not believe that this statement by Jesus supports the idea of having a Pope to lead the Church Universal, please read the chapter “Jesus Blesses Peter” in my book Hoping in the LORD, especially at pages 165-169.