1 00:00:03,659 --> 00:00:07,948 Have you thought about why Jesus chose Caesarea Philippi to reveal who he is? 2 00:00:07,948 --> 00:00:11,958 Towards the end of his time in Galilee Jesus took his disciples 3 00:00:11,958 --> 00:00:15,625 to a place near Caesarea Philippi. 4 00:00:15,625 --> 00:00:21,075 It was a place of pagan worship and and was the location of the god 'Pan' 5 00:00:21,075 --> 00:00:25,043 who according to Greek mythology was known as the god of nature, 6 00:00:25,043 --> 00:00:29,841 the wild, shepherds and flocks and the companion of nymphs. 7 00:00:29,841 --> 00:00:33,530 It was quite possible that Jesus was standing here, what was called 8 00:00:33,530 --> 00:00:35,522 at that time 'The Gate of Hell', 9 00:00:35,522 --> 00:00:39,373 as some believed that this cavernous opening literally was the door 10 00:00:39,373 --> 00:00:40,689 to the underworld. 11 00:00:40,689 --> 00:00:44,324 In the immensity of the stones nearby Jesus asked 12 00:00:44,324 --> 00:00:46,555 Who do people say I am? 13 00:00:46,555 --> 00:00:48,787 Who do you say I am? 14 00:00:48,787 --> 00:00:53,588 Peter says, You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God. 15 00:00:53,588 --> 00:00:57,437 Jesus replies, And I tell you, you are Peter 16 00:00:57,437 --> 00:00:59,770 and on this rock I will build my Church 17 00:00:59,770 --> 00:01:03,667 and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 18 00:01:03,667 --> 00:01:06,254 Matthew 16:18-19. 19 00:01:06,502 --> 00:01:10,052 Amid the natural strongholds, the revelation by Peter 20 00:01:10,052 --> 00:01:13,336 that Jesus was the Messiah, the Son of God 21 00:01:13,336 --> 00:01:16,685 and Jesus commissioning Peter to lead His church 22 00:01:16,685 --> 00:01:19,852 This event and location was a powerful encounter 23 00:01:19,852 --> 00:01:22,684 in which we know Jesus claimed victory. 24 00:01:22,684 --> 00:01:25,567 All around us is the cry to worship other gods 25 00:01:25,567 --> 00:01:29,538 and the question always exists, Who are you going to worship?