I will build my assembly

Monday 28 August 2023

"I will build my assembly and the doors of Hades shall not prevail against it." Matthew 16. 18 Darby Version

I will build my assembly

"I will build my Church" is one of the words of authority in the mouth of Jesus. It comes with no conditions, no uncertainty, even if the second part of its sentence suggests that there will be opposing forces. Building a structure must obey rules that must be respected.

- In any construction, the most important part concerns the foundations, because it is mainly on them that the solidity of the work depends.

If we take the example of the construction of the Normandy bridge over the Seine, six years of work were necessary, including two for the foundations supporting the pylons alone. The basement was not solid enough, the builders had to drill 28 wells, 50 meters deep, which they then filled with reinforced concrete to establish a secure foundation capable of supporting pylons 200 meters high. The work was extended by eight months to ensure quality work. We do not joke with the foundations : the stability and durability of the structure depend on it.

How immense are the foundations that Jesus laid in his death and resurrection ! These facts constitute an unshakable foundation on which the whole divine council can rest and the whole Church can be built.

But, after the foundations, the quality of the work will depend on the choice of materials for the rest of the construction.

In the context of the verse of the day, there are those who say that Jesus is John the Baptist, or Elijah or one of the prophets. Are they suitable materials ? No. Without being hostile to Jesus, they do not have a fair appreciation of him. But then, what are these materials of which Jesus speaks, worthy of being used ? They are those who, like Peter, have a revelation from the Father, a precise and just appreciation of Jesus and who can say : "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God". Jesus still builds his Church today on the whole earth with those alone who confess him thus.

In Matthew 16. 18, it is his exclusive work. We will see tomorrow how we can collaborate on this.

Source (Pleasing the Lord)