January 25 Readings: Exodus 1–2, Matthew 16, Psalms 16, Proverbs 3:6–8

Links to Today's Readings: Exodus 1–2, Matthew 16, Psalms 16, Proverbs 3:6–8

In October of 2013 I was privileged to visit Israel. One of the more interesting portions of that trip was our visit to Caesarea Philippi, about 25 miles north of Capernaum and the Sea of Galilee. It was a Roman city, full of pagan shrines. Here are a couple of pictures of those shrines. 

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The dark area at the back of the picture is the opening to the Temple of Pan, a cave from which flows a spring that flows into the Jordan River and the Sea of Galiliee. This was the most important of the shrines in the area (the town was called Baneas or Paneas after the Temple of Pan). The picture below is some of other pagan shrines in Caesarea Philippi. 

In Matfhew 16:13, Jesus and his disciples were walking through the Casearea Philippi area. For Jews who were offended by pagan temples, simply being in "Baneas" with all its shrines must have been intimidating and overwhelming. And there was no subtlety to this town - it was given over wholeheartedly to the worship of the false gods of the Romans. 

It was here that Jesus made one of his most argued statements. It was an exchange with his disciples, especially Peter. He asked them, in verse 13, 

'Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”

The disciples answered him, 

“Some say John the Baptist; others, Elijah; still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”

Then Jesus got to the heart of the matter, 

“But you, who do you say that I am?”

That is when Peter took over and spoke some powerful words. Peter is best known for putting his foot in his mouth, blustering, speaking without thinking. But this time he said the best thing he could possibly say.

“You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God!”

 It is what Jesus said next that has been the subject of debate, and perhaps of misinterpretation, throughout church history.

Simon son of Jonah, you are blessed 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. (16:17-18)

What was the "rock" on which Jesus would build his church? The Catholic church has held that this was Peter's appointment as the first pope, but I believe that Jesus was speaking of Peter's clear confession of Jesus. The church is built on Jesus Christ and the work of God through those who clearly profess and confess him. 

But it is the next phrase I wish to focus on. Jesus said that he would build his church and the gates of hell would not overpower it. What did he mean in that passage? 

What I Learn at Caesarea Philippi

The pagan Romans believed that the gods lived in the Underworld, and the spring at the Temple of Pan was celebrated as a gateway from the Underworld to our world. It was a place where the Roman gods were believed to spring forth to do their work in this world. 

The Temple of Pan was known as "The Gates of Hades (or Hell)." 

If that is true, what might Jesus have meant when he told his disciples that he would build his church and the gates of hell could not stand against it.?  Right there in the center of paganism, Jesus was proclaiming his superiority and supremacy over all of the gods that the Romans honored. He was King of kings, Lord of lords and God of gods. The world might reject him and resist him, but they could never stop him. His work would go on! He will build his church and all the false ideas and false religions will be helpless against him. 

Many are predicting today the end of the church,  the demise of Christianity. They gloat that many are rejecting Jesus, turning away from Christianity and embracing doubt. They are right about that. The last 30 years, especially in America, have shown a massive abandonment of God's authority, God's Word and the Lordship of Jesus Christ. 

But skeptic, do not get your hopes too high about the end of Christianity. Jesus Christ is Lord over doubt and skepticism. There are still those who confess Christ and he is still building his church. You may rage and scoff, but one day every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. 

Adherents of false religion, know that Jesus Christ is Lord whether you believe him or not. He has risen from the dead and he is Lord! 

Professing Christians who deny the truth of God's Word, the doctrines of the faith, the reality of Christ's miracles and that Jesus is the only way - your disbelief does not change the fact that it is on THIS rock and this rock alone that God is building his church. 

Jesus' affirmation at Caesarea Philippi was a shot across the bow of false religion, paganism, doubters and scoffers. This itinerant preacher from Nazareth was claiming that the church he would build would be victorious over all, no matter the strength of the opposition or the force of the lies that would flow. 

Know this, my Christian friend. The forces of doubt and disbelief may be strong. They laugh at us, discount our beliefs, scoff at the Word and its teachings. But Jesus is building his church and nothing they do can stand against him. They can rant, but they cannot win. They can doubt, but their doubt does not lessen the power of Christ a bit. 

Jesus is Lord, and there is nothing anyone can do about that. The "gates of hell" can spew forth darkness, and doubt, and lies and evil and perversion to come against the power of Jesus. But Jesus will prevail against all of them and stand supreme as Lord over all. 

It is a sick and sinful world, no doubt about that. But we ought never be afraid or intimidated. We have to deal with their sin, but they have to deal with our Lord! And in every such battle, Jesus reigns supreme. 

We praise you, Lord Jesus, for your power. We stand in awe of you. Millions have doubted you but none have defeated you. Many have denied you, but still you stand supreme. So, we stand with Peter to confess you as Messiah, the divine Son of God sent to save us. And we glory in the victory you have won, waiting expectantly to see the work you will do to build you church, rejoicing in the fact that there isn't a single thing the forces of darkness can do about it.