Friends Church Sermons

We come today to the pivotal passage in the book of Matthew. In some ways it is the climax of Matthews Gospel. I say that not because it is the climax of Jesus ministry, that obviously would be the cross and empty tomb, but it is the climax of Matthews message. From here like water running downhill this Gospel will run quickly to the last week of Jesus public ministry and a cross. The Setting: Caesarea Philippi – is a gentile and pagan city north east of the Sea of Galilee. It is located on the extreme northern fringe of Israel. From this area spring the headwaters of the Jordan River and the landscape is dominated by Mt Hermon the highest peak in the region of Syria. This mountain was the sight of worship for many gods and is the probable location for Jesus transfiguration. It is to this place far removed from the crowds of Galilee and the religious turmoil of Jerusalem that Jesus comes to pray according to Luke and to ask the most important question ever asked of man. He starts by asking a leading question: