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A Profound Statement in a Profane Place:

I love the apostle Peter.  His spirited, passionate, gung-ho personality is one that often times puts his foot in his mouth.  I can relate with that!  Maybe you can too.  However, we see Peter make a profound statement about who Jesus was when the Lord asked His followers the all important question—Who do you think I am?  Even though so many religious leaders, scribes, pharisees, priests, kings and the crowds of people were often confused as to who Jesus was, Peter answers boldly “You are the Son of God”.  

What’s interesting about this story in Matthew 16 is the location of this conversation.  We’re told that Jesus took His disciples to the region of Caesarea Philippi.  Ok, so what?  Why does this matter?  This place was about a one day walk from home base in Capernaum, on the Sea of Galilee.  This was also the center for a large temple to worship the false god, Pan.  Lots of bad things happened here… including human sacrifice.  Why would Jesus choose a place like this to bring His followers and ask such a profound question?

The answer lies in Jesus’ response to Peter.  He says upon this rock, the confession that Jesus is the Son of the Living God, I build my church.  He’s making a statement by telling His disciples that this temple, this false worship will come and go, but my church will stand forever.  

Guess what, that temple to the god Pan… it’s gone.  The walls have fallen down, the pillars have crumbled and no one goes there anymore to worship.  Now the site is a park where tourists from all over the world go to take pictures of the empty shelves where idols once stood and peer into a cave where worshippers once made sacrifices.  

Jesus’ church lives on!  Peter didn’t always get it right.  Peter messed up a lot.  However, he got it right this time and Jesus’ question is one that we have to ask ourselves today.  Do we believe He is the Son of the Living God?  What is your answer?  

Watch episode 5  of Following the Messiah.