It’s said that the Land of Israel itself functions as a sort of fifth Gospel. When we examine where the events of Jesus’ life and ministry happen, we can understand so much better the context of what is happening, and see more clearly what is being communicated in the Gospel accounts.

In this week’s Gospel reading from St. Mark, having just left the regions of Tyre and Sidon, Jesus and his disciples have come to what is essentially the capital city of the Palestine, viewed through the lens of the Hellenistic Culture. 

And it’s here, at the foot of Mount Hermon, where the Gods of the Israel’s enemies are said to have descended from Heaven to earth after their exile, at the place where common folklore says the gates of the underworld are to be found, where the God of the Hebrew people seems distant and unknown, that St. Peter makes his confession of Jesus as the Christ.

It’s understandable isn’t it that we might think that this is a sign that God is going to do something amazing – that the Messiah of God is going to drive these enemies out, and put things right. 

And that’s going to happen, but the enemy isn’t who (or what) Peter and the disciples imagine it to be.

The enemy is our human rebellion against God and the consequences that rebellion has wrought.

You can view the sermon directly on Vimeo here, at this link.