17And 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."
The bible is silent on how the disciples may have taken these statements from Jesus. No record of any of the disciples asking, “Wait, what?....what's that suppose to mean?” Instead, Jesus told them to keep these discussions to themselves for now. Did Peter understand what Jesus had just said?
Even today, there are on-going discussions on what these statements meant. One interpretation believes that Peter is the rock being referred on which the church will be built. But I believed that it was Peter’s confession --- that Jesus is the “Christ, the son of the living God” -- as the rock, the very foundation, on which Jesus will build his church. Jesus further told Peter that he could not have come up with that statement on his own, but instead it came directly from “my Father who is in heaven.”
Visiting Caesarea Philippi, and viewing the archeological ruins around, also gave me additional perspective. You see, the spring here in Caesarea Philippi is not just a water source to the Jordan River. This place used to be the center of religious pagan worship to the Greek God Pan - depicted as half goat, half man. This must have been busy with ceremonies including rituals and pagan sacrifices at the mouth of the cave known as the Gate to the Underworld (Gates of Hades).
Of all the places Jesus may have selected to reveal his identity as the Christ (through Peter), why here? When Jesus took his disciples to this place, they must have viewed the pagan rituals and activities going on. The disciples may have been feeling uncomfortable, or maybe awkward, being near this area.
Another place we visited was the port city of Jaffa; referred to as Joppa in the bible. In Acts 9-10, it tells us of Peter being in Joppa after Jesus' death and resurrection. While here, he stayed at the house of Simon the tanner. We visited a house that is said to be the house of Simon the tanner. Our guide explained to us that in Peter’s time, this port area was the rough part of the town; a place where illicit activities might going on; a place for those who wanted to hide or get away.
Simon’s house, being in the business of tanning hides, may not be at the desirable part of Joppa. Imagine hides of different stages of being cured and tanned scattered around, and the litter and the stench that goes with it. And yet, this is where Peter had the vision of “the great sheets”. While hungry and meditating at the roof of Simon's house (maybe to catch a breath of fresh air?), Peter saw a sheet full of animals and reptiles, and heard a voice to eat them. And Peter replied “no” for he has not eaten anything unclean based on Jewish tradition. And this happened three times. Peter didn't know what it meant at first. And while he was pondering about the vision, the Holy Spirit told him to “…Rise and GO…without hesitation….” to Cornelius’ house. The bible described Cornelius as a centurion belonging to the Italian Regiment, and not a Jew.
And it was in Cornelius’ house that Peter may had his "aha" moment. He finally got it. He spoke on how “...God has shown me that I should not call any person common or unclean …. “ and ”... I understand that God shows no partiality…” and “... that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”
Peter finally got it. God is not just for a certain group of people; the Good News of Jesus is for everyone. And that we should not allow any barrier --- language, culture, race, traditions, socio-economic status, whatever --- from sharing others about Jesus.
And maybe that's why Peter's vision occurred while he was in the rough part of town among people who may not be the most desirable to be with. And maybe that was also why Jesus took his disciples to Caesarea Philippi. With the backdrop of unholy pagan activities going on at the temple of Pan, Jesus may be making a point that these are the people who needed to hear the Good News. And someone must “Go” to take it to them.
Same message in the Old Testament --- years before Peter’s time --- when the Lord spoke to prophet Isaiah in a vision: Isaiah 6 “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” And when Isaiah readily responded “Here I am! Send me.” The Lord then replied back, “Go….” because the people “ keep on hearing but not understanding; keep on seeing but not perceive…”
And this is still very true today.
So, have you heard it? God is still asking that same question to you and me:
“Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?”
And I hope and pray that our answers will also be: “Here I am, Lord! Send me.”
Alex Bingtan
February 2023