It was at Caesarea Philippi that Peter proclaimed who Jesus really was. Matthew 16:13-17 records the story. "When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, 'who do people say the Son on Man is?' They replied, 'Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets'. 'But what about you,' he asked. 'Who do you say I am?' Simon Peter answered, 'You are the Christ the Son of the living God'. Jesus replied, 'Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven.'

So this was the place where Jesus gave a pop quiz to His disciples. Jesus wanted to make sure they knew who He was. He first asks what others are saying about him and then inquires of his disciples what they think about him. This is very instructive. It matters to Jesus what we think about him. What we think about him is important. Of course, Peter passes the quiz with flying colors confessing that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.

Caesarea Philippi was the center of pagan worship of the Pan. This was a mythological god who was half man and half animal. When we toured the area you could see niches carved out in the rock where people would go and place their false gods. It was in this very pagan, or pantheistic setting, that Jesus popped this most important question. It was as if Jesus was saying, "There are alot of gods being worshiped here...Who do you think I am?" What a lesson for His disciples and what a lesson for us. Jesus is the Son of God. Jesus is the Messiah. Jesus is the way, the truth, the life, and no one comes to the Father except through Him (John 14:6). We live in a culture that seems to think there are many ways to God. And for many, they have carved this notion into their thinking and into their lifestyle. But as Peter confessed, Jesus is the Messiah. Jesus blessed Peter's confession and let him know that this wasn't revealed to him by man but by the Father. This is important for all of us to remember. The Father reveals to man who Jesus is. We proclaim Him as Lord, Savior, Messiah, but it's the work of the Father to convince people that Jesus is the Son of God.

Did you notice the huge rock at Caesarea Philippi? Jesus let Peter know that on this rock I will build my church. I believe Jesus was referring to Himself as the ROCK. But what a graphic picture to see this huge rock as a backdrop to that statement. That rock has lasted quite a number of years, but the ROCK of Christ will last throughout eternity!

I'm building my life on Christ, the Son of the living God, the solid rock, are you?

Pastor Tim