Who Do You Say That I Am?

Matthew 16:13

"Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, 'Who do people say that the Son of Man is?'"

It was amazing to see the pagan idol worship that was central to Caesarea Philippi.  In a long row were various courts and temples to idols:  the temple of Pan, the Court of Nymphs, the Temple of Zeus, the court of Nemesis, and even the Tomb Temple of the Sacred Goats.  Jesus knowing the idolatry in man's heart,  asked his disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?"  

With hearts full of idolatry people would suppress the truth about Christ's authority and believe him to be just another messenger from God (i.e. John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah or one of the prophets). These were all noble accolades to whom they perceived Jesus to be, but were far from the reality that Jesus is the Son of God.

As I stood there staring at all the temple locations and their respective courts, my mind could not help but think of all of the temples and courts that people have built in their hearts:  The Temple of Pride, the Courts of Vanity, the Temple of Money, the Courts of Success, the Temple of Pleasure, the Courts of Comfort, the Temple of Power, the Courts of Self Confidence, and on and on.

With a heart fixed on any or all of these idols, Christ's rightful position as Lord gets suppressed as just a friend or homeboy.  Friends, may we ask God to expose every temple and court of idols that we have built in our hearts. May we beg of Him to empower us by His Holy Spirit to tear down and destroy every one that He reveals to us.  And may Christ alone dwell in us richly.

Beth-Shean

Beth-Shean is mentioned in Joshua, Judges, 1 Kings, and 1 Chronicles.  Here is an actual picture of what archaeologists have discovered thus far.  It is absolutely amazing...looks like Indiana Jones ride at Disneyland...just on a much larger scale.  This is not what it looked like in ancient Israel...this was later built by Romans.

Synagogue in Capernaum

Mark 1:21 

"And they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath he entered the synagogue and was teaching."

This synagogue is only a few minutes by foot from Peter's home.  It was rebuilt most likely during the Byzantine period by Christians to commemorate the synagogue Jesus taught in.

Peter's Home

Here in Capernaum we see the discovered remains of what is believed to be Peter's house which was later built over by a church to commemorate his home.

Ever Seen a Manger Before?

Luke 2:7

"And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn."

Here is a feeding trough/manger from King Ahab's stables.  It was used to feed his horses.  The boy in the background gives you an idea of its size.

Baptism in Jordan River

Robert baptizing his mom, Jo Anne, in the Jordan River...the same river that Jesus was baptized in: Matthew 3:13

 "Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him."