2 Peter 1:16-21 (NRSV)
Read 2 Peter 1:16-21 on biblegateway.com
Verse 16For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we had been eyewitnesses of his majesty. Verse 17For he received honor and glory from God the Father when that voice was conveyed to him by the Majestic Glory, saying, "This is my Son, my Beloved, with whom I am well pleased." Verse 18We ourselves heard this voice come from heaven, while we were with him on the holy mountain.
Verse 19So we have the prophetic message more fully confirmed. You will do well to be attentive to this as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. Verse 20First of all you must understand this, that no prophecy of scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation, Verse 21because no prophecy ever came by human will, but men and women moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.
Devotion
How interesting that we have in this epistle a later account of the Transfiguration written as though a first-hand account by Peter! Peter would have heard God declare that Jesus was indeed God’s Son, God’s Beloved. And this Son is our “lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in our hearts.” That dawn may be a long time coming, and so we walk by faith, walking to the edge of all the light we have, and then taking one more step. But faith also looks backward, as Peter might have, recalling this mountaintop moment that gives him confidence and serves as a credential for others to believe him. He looked backward in order to move forward. His conviction and that of a later community about Jesus is not based on speculation or upon clever teaching; rather it is based on what happened on that mountain and the Holy Spirit empowering believers to speak of it. That same Holy Spirit speaks to and through us today.
Prayer
Still-Speaking God, we thank you for sustaining Peter and us, for giving us the light of Christ to shine in our dark places. Shine through us so that all who meet us will meet your love. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
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