“Yes, Lord,” she told him, “I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world” John 11:27
About twenty-five miles Northeast of the Sea of Galilee is the Golan Heights and, in that region, at the foothills of Mount Hermon, Caesarea Philippi can be found. It is a stunning region of Israel located on a terrace with caves and cliffs overlooking a lush fertile valley. It is home to one of the largest springs feeding the Jordan River and the abundant water supply has not only contributed to prolific agriculture but was very attractive for religious worship. Numerous temples were built in the city in the Hellenistic and Roman periods. Pagan worshipers would make sacrifices to the Roman god, Pan, at the mouth of the cave. To the pagan mind, the cave at Caesarea Philippi created a gate to the underworld (Hades) and people performed detestable acts of worship to their false gods. King Herod built a magnificent temple of white marble for the godhead Caesar also in the area.
In the New Testament, this region is noted as the northernmost limit of Jesus’s ministry. Matthew 16:13 finds Jesus and His disciples coming to the area to escape the crowds that had gathered around the Sea of Galilee and to be alone. It is significant to grasp that Jesus brought His disciples to a place filled with temples of Baal worship. At least fourteen temples to date have been uncovered. It was a place shrouded by ancient gods. And yet this is the place, He chose to reveal Himself to his disciples and announce his coming death (Matt 16:13-21). Think about the scene, Jesus and the disciples were in a place overflowing with pagan temples, a towering white marble temple to Caesar commanded attention, and the headwaters of the Jordan River sprang from the cave, and He decides to ask, “Who do people say the Son of Man is and who do you say I am?” at that moment in time and in that geographic location.
Many scholars and our tour guide, Ronnie believe Jesus intentionally set himself against the backdrop of all the world’s religions to ask who He is. And Peter answers, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matt 16:16). As Peter answers can you hear the rushing of the Jordan as it spills from the cave? “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them” (John 7:37-38). And the irony cannot be overlooked that Christ’s reply to Peter “And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock, I will build my church and the gates of Hades will not overcome it” (Matt 16:18) was at the site of the Pan cave, the worshipped gate to Hades.
In our culture today, we are surrounded by false religions and idol worship just as Jesus and his disciples were in beautiful Caesarea Philippi. But not even the revered gods of today such as prosperity, success, image, and self can compare to Christ. His power and authority are unstoppable. He is still Lord of heaven and earth and will reign forever more! Hallelujah! And that’s your Tuesday Tidbit.