O Key of David

O key of David and sceptre of the house of Israel, which opens and no one closes, which closes and no one opens, come and lead out the captive who sits in darkness. 

Today, we focus on a key. That seems odd because it seems such an ordinary object. Everyone uses keys as they come in and out of the house, if nothing else. Yet, we are talking about a rather special key, King David's key; a key which seems to work where no one else does. There is an authority behind this key which can't be matched. That makes sense, of course, because it is not only a king's key, but it was King David's, a man after Gods heart, as Scripture says. For later generations, it was a symbol of power and that sense of power, especially its unique ability to open and close what no one else can has been interpreted, at least, as much spiritually as materially. It, probably, lies behind our image of Peter as the key-holder to heaven.

Yet, if we take this as a vision of Jesus, that the Key of David represents Him, we also have to notice what He opens. He doesn't open treasuries or beautiful palaces. He opens a prison and a dark one too. What's more he doesn't open the prison to throw people in, but rather to lead them out. That's a comforting image, especially when I'm feeling stuck or overwhelmed; that Jesus can open up my life and lead me out to a better place.  So many people today feel trapped, by the expectations of others or themselves or by the many, many things they feel they need to do. Yet, what Jesus does can open up one's life to show the possibilities that freedom can give. It is, in that sense, the key to opening up one's soul to what God alone can give us and only God knows where that could lead.

Reflection: What can the Key of David open for you?