What keys do you own? What do you use them for?
Sometimes keys are for letting you into somewhere. Sometimes keys are needed for letting you out of somewhere. Sometimes keys are for keeping things safe from others and keeping the wrong people out.
When we look at Jesus' life and how he described his role as Messiah, we see some similarities with keys.
Jesus lets us in.
One of the most ancient Christian songs of praise, the Te Deum, says that Jesus "opened the gates of Heaven to all believers."
Jesus lets us out.
When Jesus began his public ministry, he said that he was here to proclaim freedom to prisoners and recovery of sight to the blind, and to release the captives from their dungeons.
Jesus keeps us safe from others.
In several Bible passages Jesus describes how protective of us he is. He also suggests that part of his role is to bind up the enemy e.g. Satan or evil influences.
When Isaiah prophesied that the promised Messiah would act like a great key or key-holder, he says this:
"I will place on his shoulder the key of the house of David;
he shall open, and no one shall shut,
he shall shut, and no one shall open."
Isaiah 22:22
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Here are a few questions you might like to spend some time with today:
1. What has Jesus made possible for you (and for humanity) that wouldn't have been possible without him?
2. What do you need releasing from? Who else in the world needs releasing from a form of 'captivity'?
3. What do you need Jesus to keep you safe from? What evil influences does the world need Jesus to bind?
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Advent antiphon for 20th Dec:
O Key of David and sceptre of the House of Israel;
you open and no one can shut;
you shut and no one can open:
Come and lead the prisoners from the prison house,
those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death.