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PETER’S CLOSE
ENCOUNTER OF A HEAVENLY KIND
 In Mark 8:27-33 and Matthew 16:13-16, Peter has a conversation
with Yeshua (Jesus). Yeshua was walking with his disciples through the area
of Caesarea Philippi when Yeshua unexpectedly asked the disciples two
questions, “who do men say that
I am?” and “But you, who
do you say that I am?”
Having
visited Caesarea Philippi twice, I now can visualize much more to this story
than the written words reveal. First, this area was also known as Panias. It
was the site of worship grottos to the god Pan. As one visits this area, one
sees caves and grottos still carved into the side of the hill as the mountain
reveals the worship places of the ancient, idolatrous people who lived in the
area.
At the time of Yeshua’s two questions, he and the
disciples would have been gazing upward to where these hideous indentures
were visible for all to see. Yeshua was more than just asking two simple
questions. He was asking whom did the disciples really worship. Did they
worship just another god or did they really know who he was?
Before I continue, I want to move to another visual
of this area. High in the background of Caesarea Philippi is Mount Hermon.
The name, Hermon, in Hebrew means, “devoted”. Mt Hermon is devoted to Israel
and her people.
At 9233 ft., Mt Hermon (Sirion in the Phoenician
language) is the highest mountain peak in all of Israel and stands
majestically on the border between Israel and Syria. It is made of limestone
and is snowcapped, even in summer. It is the main source of Israel’s drinking
water. When the Golans were in Syrian hands prior to 1967, Syria tried
unsuccessfully to stop the water from flowing to Israel. Mt. Hermon was
“devoted” to Israel. Most of the snow, when melted, flowed through the
limestone center of the mountain and literally bubbled out of the ground at
Caesarea Philippi. As long as Israel controls this area of Caesarea Philippi,
the Israelis will have water. The famous river –the Jordan- is also fed by
the same water. God is also devoted to Israel.
So- back to our story of the two questions - Yeshua
used this place, a place of spiritual division, to ask His questions. On one
hand, idolatry reigned; but, on the other hand, God as creator of Mt Hermon
reigned.
The first question was “ who are people saying the
Son of Man is?” He was asking, “What
is the gossip on the streets about Me? Who are they believing that I really
am?” The reply was, “Some say John
the Baptist, others Elijah, still others say Isaiah or one of the prophets.”
Yeshua asked a direct question to the disciples,
“Who do you say that I am?”
I have thought about this question many times,
especially while sitting at the spot where Mt. Hermon’s water erupts from the
ground. I hear Yeshua say “Lynda, who do people you meet say that I am?” I
have heard that he was divine but not deity (like the angels). I have heard
others say, “he was a good man” and yet others remarked that he was a true
prophet.
But, for me, I reply like Kefa (Peter),”You are the Anointed One (Messiah), the Son of the
Living God.” Kefa was looking around at the reminders
of dead gods and he saw a Living God standing next to him.
Yeshua’s reply to Kefa was “How blessed you are! For no human being revealed
this to you, no, it was my Father in heaven.”
As you read this simple article, let me pose the
same questions to you. Among the people you rub shoulders with daily, what do
they say about Yeshua –who do they think He is?
And you – who do you say that He is? Now remember that even the Devil and
his demons believe in Yeshua (that is, they know who He really is) and they
tremble at that knowledge. James 2:19 “You believe that "God is one"? Good for you! The demons believe it too - the thought makes
them shudder with fear!”
So since the demonic beings are not believers yet believe
there must be something else that we as believers have to answer this second
question, “Who do you say that He is?” Is He mortal man like John the
Baptist? Is He a great prophet like Elijah? OR Is He your LORD and Master
–the One that you love and serve?
Philippians 1:21 says it all, “For
to me, life is the Messiah...” Without Him as your LORD, you are really a walking dead person
but with Him being your LORD and Saviour, you are more than a conqueror or as
Shaul (Paul) says to the Roman believers in 8:37 “No, in all these things we
are super conquerors, through the one (Yeshua) who has loved us.”
Caesarea Philippi (the
grottos)
Water from Mt Hermon with
the grottos in the background
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