Day 278, or October the 5th. We all have our
part to play. Our thoughts today come from Matthew
chapter 16, verse 18. 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.
Now the big picture surrounding this verse. As
well as around the Jewish western side of the
Sea of Galilee, Jesus also ministers on the east
side, where the population is predominantly Gentile.
In addition, he spends some time further north,
up towards what is today the Golan Heights, at
the Israeli -Syrian border. It's probably in
this region, at Mount Hermon, that the miracle
of the Transfiguration takes place. it was thought
in the past that the transfiguration took place
at mount tabor which is not far from Nazareth
however recent archaeological evidence indicates
that there was a settlement on top of tabor and
therefore an unlikely place to go for privacy
and now today's action step Matthew mark and
Luke all record the visit of Jesus and his disciples
to Caesarea Philippi, which lies about thirty
miles north of the Sea of Galilee, about two
days walking each way. It seems much of the life
of Jesus was spent walking, and probably talking
and teaching at the same time, as he did on the
road to Emmaus, when he explained things about
the Messiah from the Scriptures. At their stop
in Caesarea Philippi, which could have been on
their way to Mount Hermon and the Transfiguration,
Jesus asks his followers who people were saying
he was. Then he asks the disciples, and Peter
gives a correct answer, which was rather unusual
for him. In Jesus' reply, the Greek word Peter
is masculine, whilst rock is feminine, and could
also mean small stone. This text reminds us that
the church wasn't only built on the giant rocks
of the faith, such as Peter, but on every person,
male and female, important and anonymous. Play
your part as a rock, or a stone, or even a pebble.
We are all necessary, even if we are not as prominent
as Peter or some of the leaders in your church.