In the Shadow of a Pagan Temple

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Simon wiped the sweat off his face as they finally reached the top of the mountain beside Caesarea Philippi. He looked around at the temple of Pan and all of the pagan gods. Since he had been a Zealot before Jesus had called him to follow Him, seeing this kind of place in Israel sickened him. And if it sickened him, it would surely sicken the Lord. Why did the Master bring us here?, he wondered. What could be the good in coming to such an evil place? Just then, Jesus stopped and faced His disciples. "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" He asked.

"Some say John the Baptist," Matthew answered.

"And others, Elijah," Bartholomew added.

"But still others, Jeremiah," Philip offered.

"Or one of the prophets," Thaddeus said.

Yes, all of those are true. People say that Jesus is all of those. I thought.

"But who do you say that I am?" Jesus asked, His eyes piercing into my very soul.

Simon Peter wasted no time answering. "You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God."

Oh, those 10 simple words pierced Simon's soul! Yes, Peter, He is the Christ! He is our Messiah!

"Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you but My Father Who is in heaven. I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven." Jesus paused, looking all of us in the eyes. "You must not tell anyone that I am the Messiah."

Why? Why shouldn't we tell people that Jesus is the One Who will save us? After all, He said that He will build His church on that rock, that fact that He is the Messiah! Why shouldn't we tell anyone?

"Listen. I must go to Jerusalem. I will suffer many things from the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and I will be killed. But, take courage! For I will be raised on the third day."

What? Jesus will be killed? No, I don't believe it! If He is the Messiah, then why will they kill Him? Peter felt the same way that Simon did. He pulled Jesus aside and talked to him. The others couldn't hear what they said, but Jesus' response seemed to confuse and hurt Peter. The two of them walked back to the group. "Come. We must be off." Jesus began walking down the slope. Everyone else followed Him, but Simon stopped and looked up at the temple. Never would he forget this. In the shadow of a pagan temple, Jehovah had revealed Who His Son actually was. He had redeemed this spot for Himself. Simon paused for another moment. He then hurried to catch up with his friends… and his Messiah.