Whoever wishes to understand the sense of this commission... - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2026

And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
Matthew 16:19

Whoever wishes to understand the sense of this commission that Jesus Christ gave Peter must not confuse the kingdom of heaven with heaven itself. The kingdom of heaven is on earth. It is God's kingdom in its present form, as long as Christ, the King, in heaven. It will last until He appears to establish His reign on earth.
When Jesus Christ lived on earth, the Jews expected the kingdom of God in visible power and glory, as the prophets had announced. But the mass of the population stood under the influence of the religious leaders and rejected Christ. They remained unbelieving and crucified their King. The kingdom therefore took on the character of a mystery known only to believers. After Jesus Christ's return to heaven, Peter was to announce the introduction of the kingdom under these new circumstances and so introduce the kingdom of heaven.
This he did, thus employing the "keys" entrusted to him. Peter made access to the kingdom possible first to the Jews, then to the Samaritans and finally to all the nations (cf. Acts 2, 8:4-17, 10). All who acknowledge Jesus as the Saviour and Lord sent by God can enter this kingdom.
Jesus Christ in no way gave Peter authority over entry to heaven itself, which is attained exclusively by faith in Christ the Lord and Redeemer.
Today's reading: 2 Samuel 12 & 13:1-18