4 Minute Read

Prepare Your Heart

To the best of your ability, get rid of all distractions. Take a few minutes to breathe deeply and quiet yourself in the Lord’s presence. Then, ask the Lord to speak to you in this time. Let Him know that you will listen and make whatever adjustments He will reveal to you.

Read God’s Word

Joshua 19-20
Luke 9:7-27

A Verse for Today

Slowly and reflectively read the following verse(s) and listen to what God will say to you through His written Word. Consider writing down any insights He reveals to you.

Luke 9:18-20 (CSB): “While he was praying in private and his disciples were with him, he asked them, ‘Who do the crowds say that I am?’ They answered, ‘John the Baptist; others, Elijah; still others, that one of the ancient prophets has come back.’ ‘But you,’ he asked them, ‘who do you say that I am?’ Peter answered, ‘God’s Messiah.'”

Reflecting on God’s Word

Jesus’ question and Peter’s response appear in three of the Gospels: the verses I have chosen for today, Mark 8:27-30, and Matthew 16:13-20. In the last two references, the writers make it clear that Jesus said these words in/near Caesarea Philippi.

The significance of this location and these words are powerful. Let me first share some pictures and a video of what Philippi looks like now (May/June 2018). Then, I’ll explain how the pagan temple area of this city formed a perfect backdrop for what Jesus said here.

First, let’s find Caesarea Philippi on the map…

Source: https://bible-history.com/biblestudy/ancient-caesarea-philippi
Viewing the platform (on the other sides of the trees) on which the Temple of Pan was built as I stood near the ruins of Caesarea Philippi. The cave in the center of the picture is adjacent to the rock foundation on which the temple stood.
I took this picture while standing on the rock foundation. The pillar is one of the few fragments that remains from the temple. The cave is in the center foreground (beyond the group of people), and the ruins of Caesarea Philippi are out of the picture to the left.

Now, let’s look at a short video I took in 2018. I was standing on the rock foundation where Herod had built a pagan temple. I panned to the cave, then the foundation on which the temple was built, and then down into the vegetation where the ruins of Caesarea Philippi are located. At the end of the short video, you will also see water that originated as melted snow from Mount Herman that flows under the foundation and to the Sea of Galilee, about 25-30 miles to the south.

Now, let’s talk about what we just saw. I’ve already mentioned it, but the foundation was a rock slab upon which Herod built his pagan Temple.

The cave was where animal and human sacrifices took place. Sometimes, an animal (possibly a goat) or even a human was thrown into the cave. In the first century, the water that now flows under this massive rock had flowed through the cave before going under the rock and coming out below. So, an animal or a person would be sacrificed by throwing them into the flowing water in the cave. If they survived, then the god(s) didn’t accept the offering. But if they went under the water never to be seen again, the god(s) were said to have been appeased. The name of the cave … wait for it … “the gates of Hades.”

So, when Peter said, “Jesus, we believe you are the long-awaited Messiah,” Jesus responded in a way that made perfect sense with this rock, pagan temple, and cave in the background. He may have pointed to the rock and said, “I’m not going to build a pagan Temple on a rock slab. I’m going to build my church on the “rock” of your statement, that I am the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Then, He may have pointed to the cave and said, “Even Hades (death) itself can’t prevail upon the church. It will keep marching on regardless of how hard Satan and the world tries to kill it.”

Matthew 16:15-18 (CSB): “‘But you,’ he asked them, ‘who do you say that I am?’ Simon Peter answered, ‘You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.’ Jesus responded, ‘Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but my Father in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.'”

Spend Time in Prayer

  • Ask God to help you realize that as Christians on mission for the King, we cannot ultimately fail.
  • Ask God for confidence and courage to be about His mission.

Going Deeper

If you want to dig a little deeper into the city of Caesarea Philippi, consider reading the following GotQuestions article:

“What is the significance of Caesarea Philippi in the Bible?”

Sharing

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Matt Ellis is the pastor of First Baptist Church in Polk City, Florida (fbcpolkcity.com)