Slices
Prepare
How many of the virtues we read about yesterday can you remember (without looking!)? Make a list: Peter has more to say about these things.
Bible passage
Prophecy of Scripture
12 So I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have. 13 I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body, 14 because I know that I will soon put it aside, as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. 15 And I will make every effort to see that after my departure you will always be able to remember these things.
16 For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were eye-witnesses of his majesty. 17 He received honour and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, ‘This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.’ 18 We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain.
19 We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. 20 Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. 21 For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
Explore
It’s good to dig deeper as Christians, and to try out helpful new ideas. However, human nature is wayward. Myself, I find it a healthy practice to revisit the essentials of my faith. It is not that I no longer ‘know’ key Christian ideas. Nor do I forget those personal ways in which Jesus has met with me through the years. It is rather that my focus tends always to wander off into less wholesome, less enriching places. Peter is a battle-hardened old apostle. He understands that ‘reminding’, ‘refreshing’ and ‘remembering’ (vs 12–15) are key aspects of a Christian life.
As we ‘touch base’ spiritually in this way, it is heartening also to be reminded of the foundations of that base. The first of these is historical reality. Peter was there on the Mount of Transfiguration with Jesus. Many would reduce our testimony to nice but fanciful stories. Let’s hold on to the solid reality that the Son of God walked this earth. Secondly, note how the authority of the prophets is taught here. These people declared the Word of God, inspired by his Spirit. We now have, in the Bible, God’s completed written Word, not a set of human thoughts. This is the unbreakable basis of our faith in Jesus Christ.
Respond
The Greek word for ‘remember’ used in verse 15 implies learning by heart. Why not memorise some key verses from 2 Peter?
Deeper Bible study
‘I am listening, Lord, for thee; / Master, speak, O speak to me!’1
Peter makes clear to his audience that he is close to death,2 so this passage is something of a last will and testament. It is important, then, that people pay attention (vs 13–15).
Some church members have questioned the reality of Jesus’ imminent return, since it has yet to come to pass. As we shall see later in the book, this has caused some to believe they can behave as they wish without fear of consequence. Peter asserts that the return of Jesus is based on eyewitness accounts of his life, which he compares with eyewitness accounts of the transfiguration: both testimonies should be believed (vs 16,17). For Peter, this underlines the truth that the prophets’ hope of the reality of Jesus is also secure.
Peter exhorts the church to heed the prophetic word because it comes not from humans but from God – and, by addressing this issue, he introduces the doctrine of biblical inspiration. When Peter speaks of the prophets, it is possible that he includes the whole of the Old Testament. Christians of different traditions and persuasions read the Bible with diverse understandings and perspectives – and do so with integrity – but most Christians will find common ground in understanding it as a divine and human document. God speaks through the Bible but in the context, culture and understanding of real human beings of their era and location.
For Peter, the message of the prophets – and therefore the Bible – is reliable and can be trusted. It illuminates darkness, revealing things for what they really are and putting our lives, world views and morals into perspective. The promises of God can be held on to with certain hope, as certain as that the sun will rise tomorrow (v 19).
What are some of God’s promises that you have held on to? Are you as certain of the reality of these as you are that the sun will rise tomorrow?
1 Frances Ridley Havergal, 1836–79, ’Master, speak, thy servant heareth’ 2 Prophesied by Jesus in John 21:18,19
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: Micah 4,5; Revelation 12
Pray for Scripture Union
Pray for the north staff team as they meet today under the leadership of north team leader Rob Steward to plan for the next few months. Pray especially for guidance for new residentials across the north.
