On this foundation

From today's reading: Simon Peter answered, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God." And Jesus said, "Blessed are you. . . you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. Matthew 16:16-18

Jesus and his disciples are in the region of Caesarea Philippi, a city full of pagan shrines. The city had a river fed by an underground spring coming from the area of the shrines that was believed to be the opening to Hades, the underworld, and the river Styx. That prompts his comment about the gates of Hades in a proclamation that his community will never die out. The other significant thing here is the use of "rock." Peter as we know means "rock", but the term used for "on this rock" means a shelf or ledge of rocks. Jesus seems to be indicating that the church will be built not only on Peter's faith, but also on those who, like Peter, have a faith that is God revealed. As God reveals more and more of his love and purpose to us, we each become part of that foundation for his church in the world today. (Notes are from "The Life With God Bible" formerly published as "The Renovare Spiritual Formation Bible".)