Transfiguration of our Lord January 21, 2024
2 Peter 1:16-21
“Fact or Fiction?”
v.16 “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 were eyewitnesses of his majesty.”
Dear friends in Christ, just ask anyone who knows me well – I love to read. I have always loved reading ever since I was a child. Some of my earliest memories are of me reading a story with my mom or dad. I must confess, however, that my favourite genre of literature is science fiction and fantasy. Some of my favourite authors include: Terry Brooks, R.A. Salvatore, Elizabeth Moon, J.R.R. Tolkien, and C.S. Lewis. I love fiction. The interesting stories that defy reality as we know it. The wonderful things that can happen when you look into a world of imagination.
If you were to look on any Bestseller booklist around the globe you might find such books as the latest Vampire novel, or perhaps the latest self-help book by Joel Osteen, or any number of different kinds of books of many genres: poetry, science fiction, historical, biographical, etc. What you probably wouldn’t find would be the number one bestselling book around the world year after year after year. In fact, this book has broken all records in that it has consistently been the world’s number one bestseller for centuries. Of course, I am referring to none other than the Holy Bible.
But under which genre would the Bible be placed? In the “Religious” section of the bookstore? Probably. Perhaps, even the “Christianity” section of the store, if it has one. Yet more and more people in our day and age would much rather see the Holy Bible placed in the “Historical Fiction” section at best, perhaps even relegate it to the “Fantasy” category. Many today, even among Christian groups, view the Holy Bible as merely a collection of made-up stories, with hidden truths in them to discover. The Bible might be an interesting book to read with some fascinating stories, if you can get through all the boring parts, but in the end it is not fact, but fiction. Indeed, many hold to the idea that the Bible is just a bunch of clever stories, put together by Jesus’ followers, who wanted to change what He said and did to suit their own ulterior motives—in fact, this is the contention of that bestselling book-turned movie, The Davinci Code.
In life, it is said, there are but two certain facts: death and taxes. And it is interesting that it was with the former of these in mind that Peter wrote this final letter. A few verses before our text begins Peter writes that he knows his life will soon be at an end. You see, Peter was killed by the Romans between 63 and 65 A.D., during the terrifying reign of the insane Roman Emperor Nero.
“From the early Christian historian Hegesippus, we learn that Peter eventually travelled to Rome to minister in his old age. Nero was determined to execute him, but the Christians gathered in Rome heard about it and urged Peter to flee. Though resistant at first, Peter eventually gave in, but as he approached the city gate to leave, he saw a vision of Jesus walking in the other direction. Peter fell to his knees and said, ‘Lord, where are you going?’ Jesus answered, ‘I’ve come to be crucified again.’ Peter took this to mean that it was his time to die just as Jesus had prophesied to him in John 21:19, so he returned to the city. Upon being captured and sentenced to be crucified, Peter announced that he was not worthy to be crucified in the same position as his Saviour, and requested to die on the cross upside down. The Romans honoured his request.”[1]
So, in effect, this letter serves as Peter’s own last will and testament. Throughout, he exhorts the followers of Christ to continue to trust above all in their Lord and Saviour. He pleads with them to beware of false teachers and prophets who would subtly turn them from the truth of the Gospel as revealed in God’s Word. He tells them to place their trust in the sure and certain testimony about Jesus that they have heard and learned from the Apostles and the writings of sacred Scripture.
It is interesting that, knowing he is soon to die, Peter does not write about his own life or great works and accomplishments – to be sure there were many indeed he could have chosen from – many healings, demons cast out, and miraculous deeds extraordinaire that would be at home in any book of fiction or fantasy, though indeed, the miracles performed by the apostles are all true. But instead of focusing on his deeds—instead of leaving behind his biography, he points us to the sure and certain object of our faith—Jesus Christ. The same Jesus Christ about whom the Law and the Prophets (ie—the entire Old Testament or Bible of the Jews of the time) testify and point towards. For, he writes, “no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” And to whom does the Holy Spirit always direct us? Jesus.
Our faith is not based upon some “feel good” principles, or even upright and moral laws and rules that we are to follow. No, our faith is based upon the living Word of God—Jesus Christ—He who was glorified on the mountain—whom Moses and Elijah came to testify about—who spoke to us and continues to give the Words of everlasting life. Glorious life that is rooted in Christ’s own suffering and death and resurrection. Life that is exemplified by loving service to one another as our Lord Himself gave His life in loving service for us. Life that is no false promise, no lie, no clever story, but is instead the truth as passed on to us by those who were there, who saw His miracles, who felt His healing, who witnessed His glory, who saw His suffering and death, who later saw and touched His risen and glorified flesh, put their fingers into His palms and their hands into His side, and who were inspired by God to record His message.
Dear friends in Christ, we have sinned against our God with our careless attitude and open disregard for the greatest book ever written, the Book of Life—the Word of God. Other things take up our time and so we fail to devote ourselves to careful study and reading of God’s Holy Word of Life. The book that contains the facts of our lives on this earth. We are guilty of breaking God’s Laws, but He sent His one and only Son to redeem us from our sin and to lead us to life in Him. And that is what the Bible is all about. A true and certain testimony concerning the loving grace and mercy of our God and Father poured out for all people through the glorious life, death, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.
No matter how young you are, no matter how old you are, no matter how long you have been a regular attending church member or how little time you have spent in the pew, your life can only be enriched through study of God’s Word. Here in these pages, using simple language that you and I can read and grow to understand, God speaks. He continues to speak to you today—through the mouths of His servants—called to proclaim His Word of truth—His Word of grace—His Word of mercy, forgiveness and love. He speaks to you in the liturgy of the divine service. He speaks to you as you hear His holy absolution proclaimed into your ears. He speaks to you in your Baptism. He speaks to you in His Supper. Words of welcome, pardon and peace. Words in which He gives you His blood—gives you His life. For these Words are the power of God Himself—for through them the Holy Spirit is at work to create and sustain saving faith in your hearts. His love and mercy are ever with you. These words are not fantasy, myth, or fiction, but are TRUE–signed, sealed, and delivered through the blood of Jesus. Thanks be to God in Christ Jesus. Amen.
[1] Adapted from Jesus Freaks, dc Talk and The Voice of the Martyrs (Tulsa: Albury Publishing, 1999) 312.
2 Peter 1:16-21
“Fact or Fiction?”
v.16 “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 were eyewitnesses of his majesty.”
Dear friends in Christ, just ask anyone who knows me well – I love to read. I have always loved reading ever since I was a child. Some of my earliest memories are of me reading a story with my mom or dad. I must confess, however, that my favourite genre of literature is science fiction and fantasy. Some of my favourite authors include: Terry Brooks, R.A. Salvatore, Elizabeth Moon, J.R.R. Tolkien, and C.S. Lewis. I love fiction. The interesting stories that defy reality as we know it. The wonderful things that can happen when you look into a world of imagination.
If you were to look on any Bestseller booklist around the globe you might find such books as the latest Vampire novel, or perhaps the latest self-help book by Joel Osteen, or any number of different kinds of books of many genres: poetry, science fiction, historical, biographical, etc. What you probably wouldn’t find would be the number one bestselling book around the world year after year after year. In fact, this book has broken all records in that it has consistently been the world’s number one bestseller for centuries. Of course, I am referring to none other than the Holy Bible.
But under which genre would the Bible be placed? In the “Religious” section of the bookstore? Probably. Perhaps, even the “Christianity” section of the store, if it has one. Yet more and more people in our day and age would much rather see the Holy Bible placed in the “Historical Fiction” section at best, perhaps even relegate it to the “Fantasy” category. Many today, even among Christian groups, view the Holy Bible as merely a collection of made-up stories, with hidden truths in them to discover. The Bible might be an interesting book to read with some fascinating stories, if you can get through all the boring parts, but in the end it is not fact, but fiction. Indeed, many hold to the idea that the Bible is just a bunch of clever stories, put together by Jesus’ followers, who wanted to change what He said and did to suit their own ulterior motives—in fact, this is the contention of that bestselling book-turned movie, The Davinci Code.
In life, it is said, there are but two certain facts: death and taxes. And it is interesting that it was with the former of these in mind that Peter wrote this final letter. A few verses before our text begins Peter writes that he knows his life will soon be at an end. You see, Peter was killed by the Romans between 63 and 65 A.D., during the terrifying reign of the insane Roman Emperor Nero.
“From the early Christian historian Hegesippus, we learn that Peter eventually travelled to Rome to minister in his old age. Nero was determined to execute him, but the Christians gathered in Rome heard about it and urged Peter to flee. Though resistant at first, Peter eventually gave in, but as he approached the city gate to leave, he saw a vision of Jesus walking in the other direction. Peter fell to his knees and said, ‘Lord, where are you going?’ Jesus answered, ‘I’ve come to be crucified again.’ Peter took this to mean that it was his time to die just as Jesus had prophesied to him in John 21:19, so he returned to the city. Upon being captured and sentenced to be crucified, Peter announced that he was not worthy to be crucified in the same position as his Saviour, and requested to die on the cross upside down. The Romans honoured his request.”[1]
So, in effect, this letter serves as Peter’s own last will and testament. Throughout, he exhorts the followers of Christ to continue to trust above all in their Lord and Saviour. He pleads with them to beware of false teachers and prophets who would subtly turn them from the truth of the Gospel as revealed in God’s Word. He tells them to place their trust in the sure and certain testimony about Jesus that they have heard and learned from the Apostles and the writings of sacred Scripture.
It is interesting that, knowing he is soon to die, Peter does not write about his own life or great works and accomplishments – to be sure there were many indeed he could have chosen from – many healings, demons cast out, and miraculous deeds extraordinaire that would be at home in any book of fiction or fantasy, though indeed, the miracles performed by the apostles are all true. But instead of focusing on his deeds—instead of leaving behind his biography, he points us to the sure and certain object of our faith—Jesus Christ. The same Jesus Christ about whom the Law and the Prophets (ie—the entire Old Testament or Bible of the Jews of the time) testify and point towards. For, he writes, “no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” And to whom does the Holy Spirit always direct us? Jesus.
Our faith is not based upon some “feel good” principles, or even upright and moral laws and rules that we are to follow. No, our faith is based upon the living Word of God—Jesus Christ—He who was glorified on the mountain—whom Moses and Elijah came to testify about—who spoke to us and continues to give the Words of everlasting life. Glorious life that is rooted in Christ’s own suffering and death and resurrection. Life that is exemplified by loving service to one another as our Lord Himself gave His life in loving service for us. Life that is no false promise, no lie, no clever story, but is instead the truth as passed on to us by those who were there, who saw His miracles, who felt His healing, who witnessed His glory, who saw His suffering and death, who later saw and touched His risen and glorified flesh, put their fingers into His palms and their hands into His side, and who were inspired by God to record His message.
Dear friends in Christ, we have sinned against our God with our careless attitude and open disregard for the greatest book ever written, the Book of Life—the Word of God. Other things take up our time and so we fail to devote ourselves to careful study and reading of God’s Holy Word of Life. The book that contains the facts of our lives on this earth. We are guilty of breaking God’s Laws, but He sent His one and only Son to redeem us from our sin and to lead us to life in Him. And that is what the Bible is all about. A true and certain testimony concerning the loving grace and mercy of our God and Father poured out for all people through the glorious life, death, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.
No matter how young you are, no matter how old you are, no matter how long you have been a regular attending church member or how little time you have spent in the pew, your life can only be enriched through study of God’s Word. Here in these pages, using simple language that you and I can read and grow to understand, God speaks. He continues to speak to you today—through the mouths of His servants—called to proclaim His Word of truth—His Word of grace—His Word of mercy, forgiveness and love. He speaks to you in the liturgy of the divine service. He speaks to you as you hear His holy absolution proclaimed into your ears. He speaks to you in your Baptism. He speaks to you in His Supper. Words of welcome, pardon and peace. Words in which He gives you His blood—gives you His life. For these Words are the power of God Himself—for through them the Holy Spirit is at work to create and sustain saving faith in your hearts. His love and mercy are ever with you. These words are not fantasy, myth, or fiction, but are TRUE–signed, sealed, and delivered through the blood of Jesus. Thanks be to God in Christ Jesus. Amen.
[1] Adapted from Jesus Freaks, dc Talk and The Voice of the Martyrs (Tulsa: Albury Publishing, 1999) 312.