Jesus went with his disciples to the northern part of Galilee in the ancient city of Caesarea Philippi. It lies spread out on a terrace 1,150 feet above sea level. To the northeast, Mt. Hermon rises in splendor to 9,100 feet. To the south, the fertile Jordan valley stretches. The city was a center of ancient Greek and Roman culture. It was also a place of all kinds of pagan gods. Sit in silence and let your imagination take you there. It’s the perfect place for Jesus to ask his disciples who they think Jesus is, as he stands there in a kind of crowd of ancient gods.
As often happens, Peter answers right away, for he was often pushed to say and do things without thinking them through. This time, however, it is the Holy Spirit that’s quicker than his impulses. He is given the gift to know just who Jesus is.
As you pray, you are open to the same Holy Spirit to give you a personal belief and inward feeling about Jesus. Rest in the gift of faith—a source of joy!
Check out Study Tools in BibleGateway.
I especially recommend the free resource
in Matthew Henry’s Commentary.
Sundays are dedicated to the Gospels from the Lectionary,
During most of Lent and Easter we read the Gospel of John.
These Firestarters are from a new edition of The Bible Through the Seasons being developed for families with children. For the Firestarters in the original edition, I recommend the ebook. You will have the entire program of well over a thousand of these introductions with you on your phone or table! Check the menu options at the site for more information.
The Bible Through the Seasons 