Banyas Waterfall

by HYLAND, D. T. | Category: General | Nov 1985

In northern Israel, at the foot of Mount Hermon, lies Banyas. In the Lord's time on earth there was a city there known as Caesarea Philippi. This area was added to the kingdom of Herod the Great by the Roman Emperor, Augustus Caesar. When Herod the Great died in 4 B.C., this territory was among that bequeathed to his son, Philip the Tetrarch, who is mentioned in Luke 3 verse 1 - It was Philip who gave the city the name of Caesarea in honour of Augustus. To distinguish this city from the coastal town Caesarea Maritima, it became known as Philip's Caesarea, in Latin Caesarea Philippi.

At Banyas, from a cave in the red cliff face, issues the Banyas Spring, one of the sources of the Jordan. The water is clear and bright. It soon cascades over a waterfall in a spot shaded by trees and bushes. The sunlight pierces the vegetation and illuminates the spray and foam. The water flows on to the Sea of Galilee.

It was in the vicinity of Caesarea Philippi, as far away from Jerusalem as it was possible to be in Israel, that the Lord addressed to the Twelve the vital question, "Who do men say that the Son of Man is?" (Mat. 16:13). The diverse replies revealed that most people with whom the Lord came into contact had no conception that He was the Messiah. The second question was directed to the apostles and challenged their faith, "But who say ye that I am?" Peter replied with conviction, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God". This knowledge had come to Peter by divine revelation. A further insight into divine purpose was then granted: "Thou art Peter (petros, a stone), and upon this rock (petra, mass of rock) I will build My Church". In the writer's view "this rock" refers to the Lord Himself as the Foundation upon whom the Church which is His (Christ's) Body is established (Eph. 1:22,23).

To make the Lord's purpose operative, His atoning death, glorious resurrection and ascension to heaven were necessary'. Then the Son of God requested His Father to send the Holy Spirit to indwell all those who accept by faith the merits of Calvary's sacrifice. On the day of Pentecost the Spirit was given and the Lord began to build "the Church which is His (Christ's) body" (Eph. 1:22).

HYLAND, D. T. | Nov 1985
General