Jesus - Storming the gates of Hell!
Reading:- Leviticus 17:1-9, Matthew 16:13-20
If I were to ask you, what are the gates of Hell? What sort of images or understanding do you have? Do you consider the gates of Hell to be a literal place physically, or a spiritual place?
This is the gates of hell in Turkmenistan. It has been burning since 1971 when a drilling well was set on fire.
We often have other pieces of imagery that have a more spiritual connection. But there was a literal place in the north of Israel where Jesus took the disciples that was called “the Gates of Hell.”
This is it: a place called Caesarea Phillipi. In Matthew 16:13 we read, “Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi.” Why did Jesus bring His disciples all the way to the north of Israel? It was far away from their homes around the Sea of Galilee and certainly very many miles away from Jerusalem.
He was making a point! Caesarea Phillipi is where they sacrificed to the Goat god Pan, which I am sure we have all heard of. Human sacrifice happened here. I went here in 2017 and it has an eerie feel about it. There are over 20 shrines to pagan gods that have been found in this area, but this cave entrance is the main one; water used to flow up from beneath the ground – no doubt coming from melted snow and water from Mt Hermon and then flow over a waterfall in the cave into an abyss; just a big cave today. Jesus brought His disciples to this place of pagan sacrifice. Why?
The context starts back in our passage in Leviticus. Israel was to sacrifice and bring the sacrifice to the Lord at the Tabernacle, and later the temple. Pagans sacrificed away from the Lord’s presence; their form of rebellion. Israel continued the practice. In fact, this area is not far from where Jeroboam, an ancient king, set up one of the gold calves. Jeroboam said, ‘you don’t need to sacrifice in Jerusalem,’ here in Dan is fine. These were often called High Places, where sacrifice was given; some sacrificed to the Lord and others to goat gods, etc. Both were not allowed in the Law of Moses.
Jesus came to this place, this place of sacrifice and paganism, literally to what was known as ‘Hells Gates:’ the place of the dead. Jesus then asked this question, “"Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" And the disciples said, “John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” (verse 14) Jesus then asked, “"But who do you say that I am?" (verse 15) Peter said, “"You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."
Peter blessed. Jesus said, “"Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock, I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (verses 17, 18) Jesus said this place of paganism, this place of horror, false gods, a place of fear and loss, will not prevail.” This place: “hells gates”. The gates of the city were a place of strength, but it was the last line of defense for that city. Jesus said He has taken Hell’s last stand; Jesus has stormed the gates of Hell: that was on vivid display before them.
How was this achieved? Back to our passage in Leviticus: the sacrifice, while it was killed away from the tabernacle, the temple, was offered before the Lord. Jesus was killed outside the city at Calvary; He was poured out as an offering before the Lord. The veil that separated us from God, represented by a thick woven material, was torn from top to bottom in the Temple.
Jesus was saying to these disciples – you are free. The Christ, the Son of the living God has set you free from sin, death and Hell.
The promise: “I will build my church.” Peter (Cephas means “little stone”), you will start it. At Pentecost, the Holy Spirit fell. But the cornerstone is Jesus; He is the Rock - massive rock church built on Him. He is the One who has silenced the grave, Hell and the Devil.
Jesus then gave authority. This is more of what we have been saying for the past 2 weeks. Look at Jesus’ words to Peter, but also to us: “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." (Matthew 16:19)
What needs binding in your life this morning? What needs to be loosed? We bind Hell, fear, doubt in Jesus’ name. We lose our grip on pride, rebellion. We ask that the Holy Spirit is released.