A Goat Temple & the Son of God

[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?” [14] And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”

[15] He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” [16] Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” [17] And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.

[18] 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. [19] I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” [20] Then he strictly charged the disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ. ()

Introduction

People say that behind every fairytale lies a element of truth. This is true for Guillermo Del Toro’s film entitled "Pan’s Labyrinth."

The movie is a fairy tale of Princess Moanna whose father is the king of the underworld. The Princess visited the human world but the light blinds her and erases her memory.

The story picks up in 1944 in Francoist Spain with a young girl named Ofelia who finds a large stone labyrinth. She is met by a being who seems to be both goat and man. The Faun believes Ofelia is the lost princess and wants to take her back to her father in the underworld. But she must perform three tasks to prove her identity.

In the end, she sacrifices herself to save her baby brother and proves her worth. The faun takes her to the underworld where she is met by her father the King.

Historical Context

The real story of Pan is much darker.

The Greek God Pan was worshipped as the god of the wild, shepherds, flocks and nature.

He was believed to have the horns and legs of a goat, but the upper body of a human being. He was a fearsome creature who was believed to capture and kill people in the woods.

In fact, Pan was known to be able to let out an angry, blood-curdling shout which inspired a sudden sensation of fear and anxiety in everyone unfortunate enough to hear it.

They said, Pan’s unseen presence in these lonely and rocky mountainous places caused people to be suddenly overwhelmed with a feeling of frantic agitation and distress. To this day, the feeling bears the name of the rustic god— Panic

He was a rustic god and was not typically worshipped in completely man made temples.

He was worshipped in natural settings, usually caves or grottoes.

An exception of this this is found in Northern Israel in the region of Caesarea Phillipp.

It is called Panias or the Temple of Pan.

Worship Practice

Before the first century worshippers of Pan would gather at the mouth of this cave. Inside the cave was the fountain of the Jordan river.

In order to satiate Pan, they would sacrifice a young child by throwing her into the water after smashing her against a stone.

If the body disappeared and if there was no blood in the water down stream, they believed Pan was satisfied.

Roman Connection

Herod the Great built a temple at this location dedicated to Caesar and he also built a city commemorating his son— Phillip.

TS: This is the out of the way location that Jesus takes his 12 followers for this very important conversation. There are two truths I want you to remember from this text this morning. The first is...

I. Our Understanding of Jesus’ Identity Matters

Exposition:

Jesus takes them on a three day walk to northern Israel for this conversation.

He could have asked this question anywhere else.

But location really matters for some conversations.

This place would have been one of the most uncomfortable places for a Jewish person in all of Israel. It would have been like having our morning Bible study at the Waverly Sanatorium.

The Temple of Pan was believed to be haunted by evil spirits.

Caesarea Phillippi was a hellenized and romanized city proclaiming the imperial cult which promoted Caesar as god.

But Jesus takes them there— because they need to understand who he is in light of these things.

He asks them: “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”

An interesting question:

What are the people living in the hill country of Judea and the lake communities saying about Jesus?

They have seen him heal the sick, cast out demons, and even feed the multitudes.

They have sat under his teaching in the synagogues surrounding Galilee.

The disciples are well aware of the popular opinions about who he is.

First, they mention John the Baptist.

Remember, John at this time was already dead.

He had been executed by Herod Antipas.

In fact, Herod himself, had believed that Jesus was John the Baptist risen from the grave.

"At that time Herod the tetrarch heard about the fame of Jesus, 2 and he said to his servants, “This is John the Baptist. He has been raised from the dead; that is why these miraculous powers are at work in him.” ().

Next, the disciples mention the popular belief that Jesus was Elijah— reborn.

From the stories about Elijah in the OT, there were some who believed that Elijah would reappear because he did not technically die.

He was taken up to heaven by chariots of fire and in a whirlwind.

This expectation is rooted in Malachi. “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes. 6 And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the land with a decree of utter destruction. (.)At the appointed time, it is written, you are destined to calm the wrath of God before it breaks out in fury, to turn the hearts of parents to their children, and to restore the tribes of Jacob. 11Happy are those who saw you and were adorned with your love! For we also shall surely live. ()

Elijah was celebrated for his miracles of nature and healing. Both of these opinions are moving in the right direction.But at the Mount of Transfiguration, Matthew makes it clear that Jesus is different from Elijah.

Next, the disciples say that some believe he is Jeremiah or one of the prophets:

The possibility that Jeremiah might return was also a popular belief among the Jews.

Reference to these are found in some of the historical Jewish books written during the inter-testamental period.

In , Jeremiah is mentioned as a helper and in 2 Esdra 2:18 Jeremiah and Isaiah are mentioned as coming to be helpers.

Jeremiah was certainly an example suffering and rejection.

He was also a prophet who was called upon to speak against the temple in Jerusalem.

This was true of Jesus as well, but that theme had not fully emerged in Matthews gospel yet.

Jesus echoes sayings of Jeremiah on the welcome of a prophet in his hometown:

“A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and in his own household.” ()

All of these opinions were on the right track. They were positive. But they did not go far enough. They were to small.

But the point of taking them to this pagan high point was not to really ask them about the most popular opinions among the people about who he was.

His second question was really what matter. He asks: “But who do you say that I am?”

The answer to this question would empower them to face tribunals without fear and to walk bravely into pits filled with wild animals in Coliseums.

Peter answers for the group.

This is the third time Peter comes to the forefront of the group demonstrating his leadership.

The first was when he tells Jesus to tell him to come walk out on the water if it is really him.

The second is when Peter asks Jesus to explain the meaning of a parable to the group.

In this text, Peter says: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

There are some really important components to Peter’s answer.

First, He says that Jesus is the Christ.

This word focuses on the Messianic promise stretching back to the prophets.

The Jews believed that God would send to them his anointed one who would rule over his people on the throne of David.

The Christ would not only restore the inheritance of the people of Israel but he would reign over the whole world.

Peter is saying that all of the hopes of Messiah are coming true in Jesus.

second and maybe even more important because of the place where they were standing was the fact that Jesus was the “son of the living God.”

Peter is saying that Jesus is not simply an anointed man who will bring God’s kingdom into a physical reality and restore the fortunes of Israel.

He is saying that Jesus is God. He is divine.

And he is distinct from the gods of the Romans and Greeks.

Jesus is not mix of a goat and man, but he is the divine son of God.

He is the heir to the world.

Jesus is the son of the living God — not the gods of the underworld who were associated with death and hades.

He is the promised King and the Son of the Living God.

Jesus says something really interesting to Peter.

Some people believe that “Simon bar Jonah” is really just a different spelling for Peter’s father’s name.

Jesus addresses Peter this way at his calling… “Simon son of John.”

But all of the other references of the name Jonah found in Matthew’s gospel are really important. It seems strange that Matthew would just include a variant spelling of John’s name for no reason.

Think about the other references to Jonah…all of them come from the mouth of Jesus.

"Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you.” 39 But he answered them, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. 40 For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. 41 The men of Nineveh will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, something greater than Jonah is here." ()

4 An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah.”

()

It seems like Jesus is saying something very significant about Peter and his confession.

Simon is of the lineage of Jonah— declaring the truth of the Gospel and the arrival of Jesus as the Messiah.

Potentially, Jesus is even prophetically alluding to Peter’s upcoming denial and repentance like the Prophet Jonah.

Maybe Even that Peter would lead the followers of Jesus to take the good news of God’s messiah to the nations like the prophet Jonah.

What is most clear is that Jesus affirms Peter’s answer and the work of the Spirit to reveal it to the disciples.

Application:

It was so important that the disciples understood who Jesus was in light of the evil surrounding them.

That is the reason that he took them to Caesarea Phillippi.

There they could visibly see the impact of the false gods. There they could feel the sinister evil of the demonic.There they could see the power and authority of Rome over their hopes of independence.

Peter’s confession is what gives them hope for God’s kingdom.

They needed to be reminded of the threats to Jesus Kingdom.

So do we. What is happening in your life today that you see as a threat to the promises God has given you?

Its probably not the disgusting worship practices like the temple of Pan or the enslavement of your people under an imperial army.

Maybe it is struggles of a hard marriage or the waywardness of your children from the faith.

Maybe it is financial challenges which puts pressure on everything in your life or maybe it is loss of a friendship or hope for a brighter future.

How we understand Jesus impacts every belief or hope we have about life.

Jesus is the Christ.

He is the redeemer.

He is the restorer.

He is the one who is brining God’s Kingdom reign into our lives.

When you submit yourself to him as your King— you receive the blessings of the Kingdom.

At the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus addresses this:

3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.

8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. ().

Why is all of this blessing given to us?

What makes this true for us?

It is the fact that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God.

So when you feel spiritually bankrupt— remember that Because Jesus is the King— and you are his— the kingdom belongs to you.

When you are broken and tired— tears seem to always come — Because Jesus is the Christ— you will be comforted.

When you are taken advantage of because of your humility — Because Jesus is the Christ — you will inherit the earth.

When people say terrible things about you and laugh at you — Because Jesus is the Christ — the son of the Living God— you will receive reward because the Kingdom of God belongs to you.

TS: It is precisely because of who Jesus is that we can feel confident about the mission that he has called us too. Let’s look at the next section.

II. Our Accomplishment of Jesus’ Mission Depends on His Power and Authority

Exposition:

Jesus’ words here have been hotly debated for centuries.

Some have argued that this passages indicates the beginning of papal authority through Peter.

Others have focused on the similarities between words rock (Petra) and Peter (Petros).

All of these conversations have their place.

But I think if we come back to the setting in which the disciples likely found themselves, it gives us some clarity.

Remember, Peter has just made his great confession of faith— this is not only his confession but the confession of Jesus’ closest followers— his disciples.

But it is important to note that Jesus does not use plural pronouns here. He could have said, “Y’all” are the rock. I will build my church “Yall’s” confession. I will give “Y’all” the keys….but he doesn’t.

He highlights Peter as the leader of this band of followers.

If you can imagine you are with the disciples standing near the Temple of Pan in the region of Caesarea Phillippi.

In front of you is an enormous wall of rock. Carved out of the face of the rock are various niches devoted to the worship of Pan, Hermes, and even the emperor.

Jesus says, you are Peter, and on this Rock I will build my church. Maybe Jesus points toward this pagan site of worship.

How would this make sense? I think the clarity comes in the next phrase.

Jesus says, "[18] 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.

Inside the temple of Pan, there was an enormous cave in the back. Remember how I said the people would gather to practice human sacrifice.

In this cave was the wellspring of the Jordan river.

A Constant Spring of water flowing forth from the mountains above.

The worshippers would gather regularly and throw young female children into the pool smashing them against the rock.

If the child disappeared into the water below and blood did not appear in the stream below, it was believed that Pan was pleased with the sacrifice.

If the child did not disappear or there was blood downstream, they would repeat the sacrifice.

But the surface of the water was believed to be a gateway to the underworld. The people could not plumb the depths of it. Josephus tells us this.

It was considered the gate of Hades.

What does Jesus say? I will be build my church on this rock and the gates of hades will not stand against it.

Whenever a army would capture another nation’s capital, they would often raze the city.

They would tear stone from stone and demolish the important places so there would be no memory.

Then they would rebuilt on top of the city.

Jesus is saying that even though the gods of this world and the empires that support them seem strong.

His kingdom will destroy them all.

His kingdom will be built upon the ruins of the world’s religions and false Kingdoms that come before it.

There is nothing they can do to stop it.

Even the gates of their cities— the gates of the underworld will not be able to stop the advancement of his Kingdom.

Then Jesus says: [19] I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” [20] Then he strictly charged the disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ.

Peter is already assumed the functional head of this group of leaders.

We see this put into practice throughout the book of Acts as Peter serves as the primary leader of the apostles.

Jesus says to them, I am giving you authority over the message of the Kingdom.

You will have the keys to the Kingdom.

You will be able to swing the door wide and allow all nations access to the kingdom of God through the message you proclaim.

Jesus explains this by using rabbinic terms of “binding” and “loosing”.

These are not terms related to salvation or forgiveness of sins, but of proclamation and obedience.

Jesus will later show how this is done inappropriately by the Pharisees:

2 “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat, 3 so do and observe whatever they tell you, but not the works they do. For they preach, but do not practice. 4 They tie up heavy burdens, [BIND] hard to bear, and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger. [LOOSE] 5 They do all their deeds to be seen by others. ()

Jesus is referring to the apostles proclamation of all things things Jesus has instructed them.

He reminds them of this in the great commission before his departure.

"All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (.)

There is heaven and earth again. The disciples were to to teach everyone to observe all that Jesus commanded them.

Application:

There are two important things to remember from this section.

Jesus is the one who builds his church.

Jesus is the one who gives the message of his church.

Conclusion:

Because of who Jesus is— the Christ, the Son of Living God— we can rest assured that there is no power in this world that can stop the gospel from going forth.

The apostle Paul says it this way:

we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. 8 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 10 always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. 11 For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. ()

And in Romans, he says, In all of these things…persecution, trial— we are more than conquerors because of Jesus who loves us.

174 years ago, followers of Jesus in Jeffersontown came together to form a local church.

That is a long history for a church in America.

It has not been without struggle, hardship, disagreement, or trial.

But our history goes back so much further.

It goes back to a small band of men standing in the region of Caesarea Phillippi at the outskirts of a temple devoted to a god who was half goat and half man.

It stretches back to a confession.

That confession is what empowers the church of Jesus Christ even today.

Whether that church meetings in a grass hut in Uganda or a Bedford stone building on the east side of Louisville.

The confession that drives us forward,

that causes us to love one another,

and that causes us to take the gospel to our neighbors and the nations is clear.

The one whom we serve is Jesus. He is the Christ, the Son of the living God.

Let’s pray.

Related Media

Related Sermons