My Favorite Verses - Vol V (Feb 17 to Jun 17)
An illustrated collection of brief commentaries on some of the Bible’s most beloved (and some of its least understood) passages, parables, verses & sayings
An illustrated collection of brief commentaries on some of the Bible’s most beloved (and some of its least understood) passages, parables, verses & sayings
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Matthew 16:19 … The Keys <strong>to</strong> the Kingdom<br />
(03/26/20<strong>17</strong>)<br />
“I will give you the keys <strong>to</strong> the Kingdom of Heaven …<br />
Whatever you bind on Earth will be bound in Heaven,<br />
and whatever you loose on Earth will be loosed in Heaven.”<br />
~ Jesus (Matthew 16:19)<br />
First & foremost, please note that Jesus does not give anyone Heaven itself,<br />
only “the keys” there<strong>to</strong>. And this is indeed spot on, for we are the ones who must<br />
do the insertion thereof in<strong>to</strong> the lock on Heaven‟s door (by choosing <strong>to</strong> envision<br />
purposefully selfless intentions) and we are the ones who must do the turning of that<br />
door‟s handle <strong>to</strong> enter there (by choosing <strong>to</strong> courageously enliven selflessly Caring<br />
actions thereafter -- see John 13:15-<strong>17</strong> & Luke 8:4-15 & Matthew 24:12-14 & Matthew<br />
7:21 & Matthew 5:43-48 & Matthew 25:35-40 et al) … Note as well that “Heaven” for<br />
Jesus was an internal experience (John 14:20 + Luke <strong>17</strong>:20-21 et al), and that when<br />
this is taken in<strong>to</strong> account, this verse takes on a meaning that is fully more<br />
profound. For if “Heaven” is within us, then anything that “binds on Earth” (i.e.<br />
all the mental & emotional attachments innate <strong>to</strong> our ego-based interactions between the<br />
mind-body and its surroundings) simultaneously “binds in Heaven” (i.e. creates a<br />
thicker layer of “tarnish” or “sludge” around our Hearts – further encapsulating us in our<br />
own lives, separating us further from our innate inner Divinity, and making it that much<br />
more difficult for us <strong>to</strong> pierce that “dirty veil” and re-experience a Oneness with our<br />
neighbors) … Similarly, whatever we “lose on Earth” (or whatever is “loosed” on<br />
Earth; i.e. implying the Love that flows forth after all acts of intentionally detached<br />
Kindness) will be “loosed in Heaven” (i.e. they will free inner feelings of Bliss &<br />
Contentment, along with an overwhelming desire <strong>to</strong> continue serving others).<br />
There is one final point here that is quite worthy of note, and that is that the<br />
word translated as “bind” here is the Greek word desete in the ancient texts<br />
(Strong‟s #1210); a word<br />
that actually meant<br />
“compel”, “prohibit” &/or<br />
“declare unlawful.” This<br />
is especially intriguing<br />
considering the fact that<br />
one of Jesus‟ primary<br />
missions during his 3-year<br />
ministry was <strong>to</strong> deeply<br />
reform all the overly strict<br />
regulations & all the<br />
primitively condemna<strong>to</strong>ry<br />
laws of the Hebrew Bible<br />
(a.k.a. the Old Testament).<br />
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