Scripture: 2
Peter 1:16-21
Peter was one of the three apostles who witnessed Jesus’
Transfiguration. Later in Peter’s ministry he wrote this letter to warn the
church about false teachers who promoted sinful lifestyles and questioned
whether Jesus would return in judgement.[1]
In this reading he reminds the reader that he himself is an eyewitness of the
ministry and teaching of Jesus and roots his ministry in Jesus’ ministry and
the work of the Holy Spirit. This reading urges us to consider the source of
our beliefs (which is God’s Word), to trust the Scriptures, and to receive the Spirit
who works through the Scriptures.
Teaching
In our naturalistic and atheistic world people claim that
all religions are just made up. They claim this of Christianity as well,
stating that the Bible has been edited and changed over the centuries to fit
the teachings of those in power. This simply does not hold up to the historical
evidence for the Scriptures as we have tens of thousands of manuscripts that
verify the consistent reliability of the texts we use.
Peter, too, protests that what he taught was not “cleverly
devised myths.” He rooted his teaching in the instruction he received from
Jesus himself. Such an instructor is rare and incredibly authoritative! He is
teaching as Jesus taught. This is better than the teaching of the prophets
because the prophets were all pointing ahead to Jesus. Jesus was the one the
prophets hoped for, and he is the one we are to listen to through Peter’s
testimony.
Life
Every once and a while an article in a magazine or newspaper
claims to report new evidence found by the scientific community that disproves
the Christian faith. These reports claim the authority of scientific
rationality and human reason as their source to undermine the testimony of God’s
Word. Peter reminds us that our faith is historical. Even if the events
recorded in the Scripture surpass human reason, we trust the one who speaks
with the authority that comes from the Majestic Glory of being the beloved Son.
This message of salvation is Christ’s message to us to be believed above any other
authority.
Peter says, “[Y]ou will do well to pay attention [to the
Word] as a lamp shining in a dark place….” Remember that John 1:5 says, “The
light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” Don’t
trade the light of God’s Word for the authority, myths, and ideas of this
world. Hold tightly to the testimony of Christ passed down through witnessed
all the way down to today; the testimony that proclaims that Christ was
crucified and raised for us!
Prayer
Lord, many try to act as if all religions were the same and
of the same dignity. Sometimes what they mean by that is that all religions
deserve no dignity. Yet you have revealed your majestic glory through your Son
to us. Thank you for witnesses like Peter who proclaimed what Jesus taught by speech
and by pen so that we may believe in Jesus as our Savior. Please forgive us for
times that we’ve felt that the darkness crowds out the light of the Gospel. Give
us your Spirit that we may trust your Word and shine its light in our lives.
Amen.
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