For 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. For he received honour 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.’ We ourselves heard this voice come from heaven, while we were with him on the holy mountain.
So 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. First of all you must understand this, that no prophecy of scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, because no prophecy ever came by human will, but men and women moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.
Reflection
Whom do we believe, and why? Can we believe our fellow church members? The Elders? The Minister? Are there some people (or even whole groups of people) whom we disbelieve from instinct or from what others have said about them? On the other side of the equation, can other people believe us?
Even more startling, do we believe God? And, if so, can we believe Him enough?
In this passage, Peter is keen to make it clear that he is speaking the truth to his listeners. His amazing (and very frightening) mountaintop experience with Jesus is really what happened to him. He received a key revelation about Who Jesus is and here he is passing it on to others and stressing its importance for us all.
This Gospel message is vital for the salvation of the whole world. It begins in a small, almost insignificant, way like a lamp in our hearts that we strive both to see by and to bring light to others. It ends like the rising of the sun, which gives light and heat to all the earth and everything and everyone in it.
Let us be open to speaking and hearing God’s truth, wherever we are and wherever it may be found.
Prayer
Dear God, thank You for your Gospel message of salvation, through which we and everyone in the world is brought close to You. Give us open hearts through which Your Holy Spirit may do Your holy work. Amen.
