BY REV. DORAL PULLEY | Today’s Church Tampa Bay
Read – Matthew 16:13-18
Scripture: “The person whom the Son sets free is free indeed (John 8:36).”
Denial: “I refuse to be bound by any person, place, or thing.”
Affirmation: “I AM liberated. I AM free.”
The Kingdom Key of Binding and Loosing is about the position of the Church to bring all people to God and help them establish a closer relationship with the Divine which is within them (Luke 17:21).
Binding and loosing is not a popular phrase in today’s society. The term comes from biblical times in relationship to animals. People bound animals such as oxen, donkeys, and horses so that they did not go astray. They also put bits in their mouths to keep them focused on the transportation task at hand. Then there were times when they let the animals loose and allowed them to be free to run wild, eat, and play with the other animals. The word, “loose” means liberty and freedom.
At the end of Jesus’ earthly ministry, he told Peter, “Whatever you bind on earth is bound in heaven and whatever you loose on earth is loosed in heaven (Matthew 16:18).” These words empowered Peter to know that he had authority and that he was not alone. God does not abandon us as we fulfill our roles as kings, queens, and royalty. God supports us and encourages us, but the earth is ultimately our responsibility. It is our responsibility to live our lives from bondage and empower others to walk in liberty as well.
Loose is a word that Jesus, our Wayshower, also used in making a difference in people’s lives. Although Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, the grave clothes still had him bound, both his hands and his feet. Jesus, our example of what means to be fully human and fully divine, spoke to the grave clothes and told them to “Loose him and let him go (John 11:44).” There was a woman who was bent over for 18 years (Luke 13:11-13).
Jesus, the Pattern Son, spoke to the woman and said, “Woman, you are loosed from your infirmity.” Immediately, she was free from pain and was able to stand up straight. Like Lazarus and the woman, you can be free from whatever is holding you bound by using the word, loose, the same way that Jesus did.
Reflection Questions: What is holding you bound? How can you experience more freedom in your life?
Rev. Doral Pulley is the senior pastor of Today’s Church Tampa Bay, 2114 54th Ave. N, St. Petersburg and 5107 North Central Ave., Tampa.
