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
You may have heard that a revival is going on – and not just a tent in a church parking lot, we’re talking thousands of people, particularly young adults, traveling, even flying, to get to a chapel for 24/7 prayer at Asbury University in Kentucky. This has been going on for two weeks and is of a size and impact that hasn’t really been seen for perhaps half a century. I’ve heard a few different versions of the genesis of this revival, but what’s clear is it had humble beginnings – a sermon, a testimony, a prayer. The Holy Spirit is always present, but there are moments where we tap into it far more focused then usual and this is an example of one of those moments. It’s particularly significant because the majority of those showing up are college aged, an age group often not thought of as spiritually or church focused. Boy, did they prove that wrong!
That same Spirit is available to us, here today, as we enter into this season of Lent. No, I’m not saying that we should pray and the thousands of young people will just shift to our church campus. But what I am saying is that we can be open and listening and ready for the Spirit to do things in our midst that we never could have imagined. In our text today, our writer, Simon Peter, is declaring his witness to the mighty power of Christ in his life – how he has seen miracles before his very eyes, how we all should pay attention to the Word of God happening all around us, how the Holy Spirit leads us. It’s magnificent!
Lent is often approached with a solemn posture, but it can also be approached with an eagerness to hear God, to hear the Holy Spirit lead us into a deeper faith.
by Rachel Callender
For Pondering & Prayer
Today begins our journey together towards the cross with Christ, and then ultimately our celebration over God’s triumph over death. I invite you to take some time today to invite a heart of revival into your own soul this season. Where is the Holy Spirit leading you?
Prayer: Holy Spirit, open our ears this day to hear You lead us into new life with Christ. May this season of lent be one of an enlivened and ready faith. Amen.
As We Begin Lent
For our Lent series this year, we’ll be using the Adam Hamilton book Luke: Jesus and the Outsiders, Outcasts, and Outlaws. At his website, you can find a 40-day reading plan to help you read through the Gospel of Luke during Lent. And join us for worship, in-person or online, at 9:00 & 10:30 every Sunday.
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