The Gates of Hell

“And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.” Matthew 16:18

While living in Germany I became familiar with gates. The German language uses three words to communicate the different kinds of castles: Kastel (a fortress), Berg (often no more than a tower), and Schloss (a grand palace style dwelling). One feature they all had was gates. Some were dark massive and imposing, some were gilded, decorated and beautiful, but make no mistake, they all were created to keep people out.

Some gates are made to keep people in. The gates of Dachau and other concentration camps were topped with the chilling words ARBEIT MACKT FREI that taunted its inhabitants with the futile message, “Work makes one free.” The Berlin Gate, erected to celebrate a war victory, became the famous site of the protesters shouting, “Tor auf” (open the gate) as President Reagan urged, “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall.”

Even my house in a sleepy little village had gates on each window, a throwback from the war years when blocking out one’s house lights could mean the difference between life and death.

A truth that an Air Force Chaplain pointed out that has completely changed my perspective forever is that gates are only defensive. They do not march. They do not attack. They remain still. They do not come after you.

Growing up hearing the verse above, I used to get chills picturing flaming, demonic beings coming after me, yet I would be safely protected by the gates of the Church. But that isn’t the metaphor that Jesus is using at all. He is saying that His church is built out of such strong stone that when we march upon the gates of Hades, evil will not be able to stand against our battering ram, the truth. The Church is not to be shut up in hiding but rather going to battle. We, the church, are to take the fight to evil strongholds, knowing that we are more than conquerors.

Jesus, help me not to be afraid of even going into the world because I might encounter evil. Let me remember, instead, that I am built upon You, my rock, and that the truth shall set me free. Amen.