“When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭16:13-18‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Today we travelled to Tel Dan, visited Caesarea Phillips, climbed Nimrod Castle, ate Druze Pita on the side of a volcano and learned about the situation in Syria from a vantage point on the Golan Heights. 

Caesarea Phillipi is one of my favourite places in Israel. The fact that Jesus stood in front of what was understood tonne the gates of Hell in his day and declared that he would build his church and Hell itself wouldn’t prevail against it is of great comfort to me. So many of our churches are dying these days. But Jesus continues to build His church – maybe not in the way or the places that we understand, but his promise is true: the gates of Hell will not prevail against it. 

When we feel small, it’s important to remember that we don’t have to rely on our own strength. Our strength is in the Lord, the maker of Heaven and Earth.  
This Lent, may you know that you don’t have to rely on your own strength. May you know that your strength comes from the One whom the gates of Hell cannot prevail against; the One who will overcome death with life; the One who saved you then, and saves you still. 

(Videos instead of pictures today!)

​​

​​​
​