Standing at the Gates of Hell

Banias (Ba-nee-uhz).

Caesarea Philippi.

 Located at the foot of the majestic Mount Herman, a bubbling spring gives a sense of calm that betrays the horrors of Banais. 

In ancient days, instead of being a place of celebration for the God who created it, evil flourished.

The god Pan (half man and half goat) was worshiped here. Deep waters within the cleft were thought to be where sacrifices were either rejected or accepted. The sacrifices were often innocent children, hurled into the waters, in an effort to please Pan. This place was referred to as the "Gates of Hell" because it was believed to be the door to the dark under world to their gods.

Jesus and his disciples stopped at Caesarea Philippi as they traveled to Jerusalem. They stood among the gods of stone. They stood in the midst of evil. They stood in the place of death and sorrow.

Jesus asked his friends, "Who do people say I am?"

Answers varied. Some said John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.

But here, in the midst of swirling demons and bloodstained waters, Jesus asked the pointed question. "Who do YOU say that I am?"

Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."


Jesus proclaimed the only way Peter knew this was through God's revelation.

It has been several years since I visited Caesarea Philippi. I vividly remember the scene as our group read from Matthew 16. Here the perfect, spotless, almighty Son of the One True God conversed with His followers. Banias. The portal to the evil underworld where, in the name of pleasing their gods, the people committed unspeakable acts. It was here Jesus our Savior announced the gates of Hell would not prevail against His church. Jesus proclamation to the listeners of that day was clear--Christ, Son of the living God will have the last word.

I can't help but think, the Gates of Hell have spread from that mountain.

The gods have a new name. We no longer throw our children into a cavernous abyss, but we sacrifice them to the god of choice. We make ourselves gods by living life our way, trading God's purpose and plan for the wisdom of self. We walk in our own truth.

More than 2,000 years beyond the moment at Caesarea Philippi, we stand at the Gates of Hell.  Most people don't even realize it. We will each have the opportunity, the moment, the experience of answering Jesus question, "Who do YOU say I am?"

I remember the day I gave all I understood of myself to all I understood of Him. I remember removing myself from authority and giving my all to Him. It was the day I said "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." The gates of Hell wage war against me but God is for me. 

The Christ, the Son of the living God, is the Warrior who will one day soon burst through the cosmos when the time is perfect. He will arrive with power The Avengers never even dreamed possible! And the evil around us will be forced to scatter. Even as they run He will snatch them and lock them up.

Jesus said He would build His church and the Gates of Hell would not prevail against it.

Tell me, who do YOU say He is?