Word for the day by Christian Education Forum
Eyewitness Account of the Glory of
Christ
Mrs. Preena Mathew w/o
Rev. Mathew Samuel
MTC Dallas Farmers Branch
17. For 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.”
Simon Peter, in this letter, addresses those who have received faith in God and Savior Jesus Christ. The second coming of Jesus Christ is the greatest hope a Christian holds in his or her life. At the same time, it is a matter of much skepticism and doubt. Here, in this passage, we see Peter trying to make the people understand that the power and second coming of Jesus Christ is not a cleverly invented story or a cleverly devised myth. He addresses this issue because there were false teachers who tried to mislead the people by charging that the proclamation and promises of the return of Jesus Christ were not true.
In our times too, when things don’t happen as we expect, it’s quite natural for us also to be doubtful of the truth behind the prophecies and promises of the coming of our Lord Jesus. The apparent delay in fulfilling the promise of the second coming of Jesus Christ has also made people to doubt the truthfulness of the prophecy. We become more doubtful about it as we go through some of the personal struggles that come up in our life. We may also be disturbed by some events and problems happening around us in this world for which we cannot attribute any reason with much clarity, problems like depletion of natural resources, the outbreak of wars and racial violence, religious intolerance, economic injustice and the increasing rate of crime and poverty. Peter’s firsthand account of the Transfiguration inspires us to trust that the anointed one of God will return as a light shining in a dark place. Peter tells us how he and the other apostles were true eyewitnesses to the Transfiguration which was a revelation or vision of God’s installation of Jesus as the King or Messiah. This assures us of a strong foundation of hope that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will come again-the Parousia.
Further as he moves on, Peter gives us insight as to how the prophets received their prophecies. Real prophecies are not the prophet's own invention and interpretation. They are not to be interpreted for a personal motive or with a desire to please the crowd to whom it is told to. Real prophecies are those that come directly from God carried along by the power of Holy Spirit. Peter very clearly asks the people to understand the origin of the prophecies as from God and not the will and wish of the prophets. It may not be something that the people would be interested to hear, but it is what the Creator wants to convey to his Creation. Excessive personal ambition and a desire to please the crowd could be the roots of misinterpretation in our Church today when God's word is misinterpreted to cater to special interest groups or when His message does not conform to a comfortable and cozy future.
Simon Peter, in this letter, addresses those who have received faith in God and Savior Jesus Christ. The second coming of Jesus Christ is the greatest hope a Christian holds in his or her life. At the same time, it is a matter of much skepticism and doubt. Here, in this passage, we see Peter trying to make the people understand that the power and second coming of Jesus Christ is not a cleverly invented story or a cleverly devised myth. He addresses this issue because there were false teachers who tried to mislead the people by charging that the proclamation and promises of the return of Jesus Christ were not true.
In our times too, when things don’t happen as we expect, it’s quite natural for us also to be doubtful of the truth behind the prophecies and promises of the coming of our Lord Jesus. The apparent delay in fulfilling the promise of the second coming of Jesus Christ has also made people to doubt the truthfulness of the prophecy. We become more doubtful about it as we go through some of the personal struggles that come up in our life. We may also be disturbed by some events and problems happening around us in this world for which we cannot attribute any reason with much clarity, problems like depletion of natural resources, the outbreak of wars and racial violence, religious intolerance, economic injustice and the increasing rate of crime and poverty. Peter’s firsthand account of the Transfiguration inspires us to trust that the anointed one of God will return as a light shining in a dark place. Peter tells us how he and the other apostles were true eyewitnesses to the Transfiguration which was a revelation or vision of God’s installation of Jesus as the King or Messiah. This assures us of a strong foundation of hope that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will come again-the Parousia.
Further as he moves on, Peter gives us insight as to how the prophets received their prophecies. Real prophecies are not the prophet's own invention and interpretation. They are not to be interpreted for a personal motive or with a desire to please the crowd to whom it is told to. Real prophecies are those that come directly from God carried along by the power of Holy Spirit. Peter very clearly asks the people to understand the origin of the prophecies as from God and not the will and wish of the prophets. It may not be something that the people would be interested to hear, but it is what the Creator wants to convey to his Creation. Excessive personal ambition and a desire to please the crowd could be the roots of misinterpretation in our Church today when God's word is misinterpreted to cater to special interest groups or when His message does not conform to a comfortable and cozy future.
PRAYER
Dear Lord, thank you for
all the amazing promises you have given us through your word. Help us to hold
on to the great hope of your second coming. Help us not to dilute the content
of your message at any time or in any way. Amen
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Our past is put in perspective, our present is illuminated and our future made clear with the hope and expectation of His return.
Our past is put in perspective, our present is illuminated and our future made clear with the hope and expectation of His return.