Have you thought about why Jesus chose Caesarea Philippi to reveal who he is?
Towards the end of his time in Galilee Jesus took his disciples
to a place near Caesarea Philippi.
It was a place of pagan worship and and was the location of the god 'Pan'
who according to Greek mythology was known as the god of nature,
the wild, shepherds and flocks and the companion of nymphs.
It was quite possible that Jesus was standing here, what was called
at that time 'The Gate of Hell',
as some believed that this cavernous opening literally was the door
to the underworld.
In the immensity of the stones nearby Jesus asked
Who do people say I am?
Who do you say I am?
Peter says, You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.
Jesus replies, And I tell you, you are Peter
and on this rock I will build my Church
and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
Matthew 16:18-19.
Amid the natural strongholds, the revelation by Peter
that Jesus was the Messiah, the Son of God
and Jesus commissioning Peter to lead His church
This event and location was a powerful encounter
in which we know Jesus claimed victory.
All around us is the cry to worship other gods
and the question always exists, Who are you going to worship?