When my children were growing up one of their favorite meals was steak. I would buy steaks when they went on sale and then freeze them until we needed them for a special occasion. When they were real small I had to cut up their steaks for them to eat, but as they aged I learned I could trust them with a steak knife to cut their own steak without hurting themselves, or their neighbor. Finally, after they were much older they wanted me to teach them what was in my overnight marinade and how to cook the steaks on the grill. My children acquired a taste for steak long before they learned how to cook it. Like spiritual children we can often appreciate a gourmet spiritual feast long before we can cook one ourselves.
When we search the gospels we notice that the name the “The Son of Man” was one of Jesus’ favorite titles for himself. Why? Look at Matthew 11:18-19a.
18) For John came neither eating nor drinking and they say, ‘He has a demon!’ 19) The Son of Man came eating and drinking and they say, “Look a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!” CSB
In these verses Jesus is referencing his humanity and his humility. Now look at a prophetic passage that the disciples would have been very familiar with from Daniel 7:13-14.
13) I continued watching in the night visions, and suddenly one like a son of man was coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was escorted before him. 14) He was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, so that those of every people, nation, and language should serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will not be destroyed. CSB
Not only did the title “The Son of Man,” emphasize Jesus’ humanity, Jesus also chose this title because it asserted his divinity by connecting himself to the prophetic figure in Daniel. After Daniel’s prophecy was written there was a debate in Judaism. Rabbi’s wondered and argued over whether the Messiah would be divine or just an earthly leader. We learn from this favorite name and title that Jesus was claiming to be fully man and fully God.
For a season, Jesus gave up some of his heavenly power to become a man. Now look at Matthew 16:13-20.
13) When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”
14) They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others, Elijah; still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
15) “But you,” he asked them, “who do you say that I am?”
16) Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
17) Jesus responded, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but my Father in heaven. 18) And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. 19) I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will have been loosed in heaven.” 20) Then he gave the disciples orders to tell no one that he was the Messiah. CSB
Jesus took his disciples out of a Jewish region and they have gone up to Caesarea Philippi, a Roman city in a region above the Galilee and at the base of Mt. Hermon. This area was known for the multitude of pagan deities that were worshipped there. This is the place where Jesus asked the question, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”
The disciples’ responses show that the crowds were not in agreement about who Jesus was. Some thought he was John the Baptist, some thought he was a prophet like Elijah or Jeremiah, but this was just Jesus’ introductory question. What Jesus really wanted to know was who his disciples thought he was? Remember, Jesus has been modeling what life with God looks like. Over and over we see Jesus is looking for two things from people. First, he is looking for faith (Luke 8:18) and second, he is looking for those who will show his love to the rest of the world (John 13:35). So, how Jesus’ followers see him matters.
In answering his question, Peter declares that Jesus is the Messiah and more, he is the Son of the living God. This statement about Jesus being the Son of the living God was made in direct contrast to the lifeless pagan gods worshipped in the region of Caesarea Philippi.
Then Jesus says, “Flesh and blood could not have revealed this to you Peter.” This is a divine revelation straight from the Father.
What comes next? Reread Matthew 16:18-19. Now it is clear in these verses that Jesus is specifically talking to Peter. Peter will be the first leader of the church and he will be given power to bind things on earth and in heaven, and he can loosen things on earth and in heaven. But did you know that this is not the only place Jesus uses these words? Or, the only person he made these promises too? Look at Matthew 18:18-20.
18) Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will have been loosed in heaven. 19) Again, truly I tell you, if two of you on earth agree about any matter that you pray for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. 20) For where two or three are gathered together in my name, I am there among them.” CSB
For a season, Jesus gave his followers his heavenly power in prayer. His mighty name would be entrusted to them to do his heavenly work-a work that would reflect his divinity-not just his humanity.
Matthew 18:18b reads word for word the same as Matthew 16:19b. Jesus has entrusted to all of his followers, not just Peter, heavenly power to bind and loosen on earth, so it will be done in heaven. How is this binding and loosening done? It is done through prayers. In the natural world what kinds of things do we want to bind or lock up? Usually, we want to lock up bad guys, things we consider valuable and dangerous stuff, like a gun collection. So, who are the spiritual bad guys we want to lock up on earth? Well, we know from Ephesians 6:12 that they are the demonic forces active behind the scenes in our world. In prayer we ask Go to lock up the forces of darkness that are seeking to work in our lives, in the lives of those we love, and in this world. This can be done in prayer with little fanfare or adrenaline.
What is a precious, eternal thing we might want to lock up on earth for heaven? I was thinking of my God assignments and how when I execute them I don’t want to rob God of the glory that is due him. This doesn’t mean I am unappreciative when someone compliments me, but I want my heart intention to be that God is glorified while someone is thanking me. Recognizing God’s activity on earth is a precious encouragement we give each other, so we should thank people when God uses them. But, when someone compliments us, in humility we can gift God all the glory.
What kind of stuff do we want to unlock on earth? We want God to unlock the forces of good. We want God to teach us his children how to pray united for the will of God. We also want to release the angelic forces, so they are free to work in our world. Remember, Jesus taught us to pray in Matthew 6:10, “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” So, in prayer and in agreement with other believers we want to lock up the forces of evil, while at the same time we want to release the forces of good.
For a season, Jesus gave up some of his heavenly power to become a man, and for a season, Jesus gave his followers his heavenly power in prayer. Jesus gave the responsibility of praying for God’s kingdom to come on earth to his followers (Matthew 6:10). Our heavenly powers are not equal to Jesus’ heavenly powers, but I think they are greater than we know or may have experienced.
What might change if we started praying these prayers of binding and loosening?
