It was a very hazy day so sadly I don't have pictures to show you of the spectacular views but we tried to see as much as we could while we were there in that area and I will show you the last place we went to on that day. About 25 miles North of the Sea of Galilee, Caesarea Philippi was our next port of call. Sound familiar to anyone? There is another verse roller there and it says,
Matthew 16
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?’ 14And they said, ‘Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.’ 15He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ 16Simon Peter answered, ‘You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.’ 17And Jesus answered him, ‘Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven. 18And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hell will not prevail against it.
Let me tell you why this is so exciting!!! Caesarea Philippi is the location of one of the largest springs feeding the Jordan River. This abundant water supply made the area very fertile and attractive for religious worship. Numerous temples were built at this city in the Hellenistic and Roman periods. This one was to the god Pan for example but picture the whole area being a thriving town dedicated to idol worship.
Can you see all the niches in the rock? All the statues of dead gods went into those. It is known that statues of the deities were placed in these niches by depictions of such on coins of the city. One niche housed a sculpture of Echo, the mountain nymph and Pan’s consort. Another niche housed a statue of Pan’s father, Hermes, son of nymph Maia. Inscriptions in the niches mention those who gave large donations.
So, in ancient times, there was a giant spring, gushing from a cave that is just to the right of the huge pillar. That spring was called The Gates of Hell. Why? Because beginning in the 3rd century B.C., sacrifices (live humans, mostly babies) were cast into the cave as offerings to the god Pan. Gruesome, huh? So, when Jesus asked His Disciples in the context of what they were seeing, isn't Peter's statement and Jesus' response incredible? He is the LIVING GOD and all these dead gods in the rock and the gates of hell are nothing compared with the power of the Almighty God who was going to do something new.
What has struck us in our travels is how where there is beauty, evil isn't far behind trying to taint it. 
I love water!!
 These springs still flow and of course we were there just after the rainy season so to watch this was my favourite thing to do. 
So, out of interest, Pan, the half-man half-goat, shepherd god of fright (thus "panic"), is often depicted playing the flute. This city known as Panias has been corrupted in the Arabic language to its modern name of Banias. There are all sorts of amazing ruins at Banias, and look at this olive press weight. There are a whole assortment of them.
 We returned home after a long and enjoyable day. Hope you enjoyed it too 
|
• May. 16, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Tracy