16 We didn’t repeat crafty myths when we told you about the powerful coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Quite the contrary, we witnessed his majesty with our own eyes. 17 He received honor and glory from God the Father when a voice came to him from the magnificent glory, saying, “This is my dearly loved Son, with whom I am well-pleased.” 18 We ourselves heard this voice from heaven while we were with him on the holy mountain. 19 In addition, we have a most reliable prophetic word, and you would do well to pay attention to it, just as you would to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. 20 Most important, you must know that no prophecy of scripture represents the prophet’s own understanding of things, 21 because no prophecy ever came by human will. Instead, men and women led by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.
Reflection
In reflecting on this 2 Peter letter some background is necessary for today’s reading and
devotion. The extensive use of rare Greek words and the advanced style seem to reflect an educational background beyond what we know of the apostle Peter. In addition, the church was very slow to accept 2 Peter as scripture and there is great doubt as to who actually wrote this letter. If he didn’t write it himself, it seems very likely that a disciple close to the apostle applied his teachings to a later situation, much like a “will.” A major problem emerged when teachers within the early church began to challenge the second coming of Jesus. They seem to have been wondering, “if there is no coming judgment, does it matter how we live in the present?” Today’s scripture addresses this very question. It is a very timely question given the age of skepticism we are currently living in. The author emphasizes his desire for his disciples to pass on his words, and to remind people of them even after his death. As we head into the holy season of Lent this week, this is a primary belief that Christians have wrestled with and argued about even in our current day. In verses 1:16-18 Peter bases the certainty of Jesus’ second coming on #1 Jesus’ own words, on #2 God’s affirmation of Jesus, and on #3 the
reliability of the Hebrew Bible prophecy. Verse 21 reminds us still today that “no prophecy ever came by human will (alone). Instead, men and women led by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.”
It is verse 1:21 that caught my attention today.
We live in a time of great skepticism generated by computers as well as human
fantasy. It is important to go back to the original recordings.
by Kathleen Stolz
For Pondering and Prayer
The main thing to keep in mind is that no prophecy in scripture is a matter of private or even public opinion. Throughout scripture and time, men and women led by the Holy Spirit have spoken with God. Prophets are still hearing God place demands on our lives today, challenging God’s people to live together. Surely you have had the experience of listening to a preacher saying exactly what you were thinking! I know that I have! It’s not only when we agree with what is being preached, but when we know in our heart that God has inspired those words.
Think about the many wonderful, memorable quotes from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. that
Pastor Joe used recently in his series on “What Dr. King Still Asks of Us: Truth, Peace,
Justice.” Powerful, INSPIRED Words!
I pondered many of Dr. King’s prayers during recent weeks and I was particularly
inspired by the following prayer from 1953. I invite you to pray this prayer throughout
Lent:
Prayer: “Most gracious and all wise God, before whose face the generations rise and fall; Thou
in whom we live, and move, and have our being…We realize that we stand surrounded with the mountains of love and we deliberately dwell in the valley of hate. We stand amid the forces of truth and deliberately lie. We are forever offered the high road and yet we choose to travel the low road. For these sins O God forgive. Break the spell of that which blinds our minds. Purify our hearts that we may see thee. O God in these turbulent days when fear and doubt are mounting high, give us broad visions, penetrating eyes, and power of endurance. Help us to work with renewed vigor for a warless world, for a better distribution of wealth, and for a brotherhood that transcends race or color. In the name and spirit of Jesus we pray. Amen.”
