2 Peter 1: Men Spoke from God

Today’s reading is 2 Peter 1.

Peter explains why he so strongly wants to pass on the path to partake in the divine nature and participate in God’s glory and excellence. He witnessed it with his own eyes.

Calling to mind the Mount of Transfiguration (see Mark 9:2-8), Peter explains he witnessed the majesty of our Lord Jesus Christ. He heard the very voice of God the Father declaring Jesus to be His Son. The prophetic word was made more sure to Peter, James, and John. That is, Peter does not write simply because he has studied the ancient prophets and decided Jesus fulfilled them. He witnessed the transfiguration of Jesus and saw Him share in the glory of God. Peter knows Jesus is the way any of us will share in God’s glory.

Peter specifically calls to mind the parable of the lamp to which we alluded in yesterday’s post. In Mark 4:21-25, Jesus asked, “Is a lamp brought in to be put under a basket, or under a bed, and not on a stand? For nothing is hidden except to be made manifest; nor is anything secret except to come to light. If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear” (ESV). Then, Jesus tells His hearers to pay attention to what they hear. Though Mark uses a different Greek word, the idea is the same as Peter’s. Pay attention. Listen. Heed. Follow.

God’s Word is a lamp shining in a dark place. When we listen and follow, the day will dawn in our own hearts. We will be full of light and life. For Scripture, according to Peter, is not primarily the product of men. Rather, the ultimate author of Scripture is God through the Holy Spirit. “Men,” Peter says, “spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit” (2 Peter 1:21, ESV). They did not write from their own authority, their own thinking, their own feelings. At least, not by those alone. No doubt, the Holy Spirit used each man as an instrument. He used their experiences, their perspectives, their backgrounds to get what He, the Holy Spirit, wanted in the Scriptures.

Therefore, we would do well to read. We would do well to read again and again. We would do well to take seriously the accounts of those who witnessed. We would do well to take seriously the accounts of those who experienced. We would do well to take seriously the accounts of those moved by God’s Holy Spirit.

Whether we are new to the Bible, long-time readers, or returning after a hiatus, let us dig deep in the rich soil of God’s Word. Let our roots sink into the Scriptures like a plant in soft, tilled earth by streams of water. Let us give all diligence to mature by knowing the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit through the self-revelation of Scripture. Though we are not mature as we would like to be and though the going is often slow, remember slow growth is still growth.

Whether quickly or slowly, may we grow by the power God gives through His Word and grace. Though we falter, may we never cease. For in so doing, God will grant us entrance to His eternal kingdom.

Praise the Lord!

Next week’s reading is 2 Peter 2.

PODCAST!!!

Click here to take about 15 minutes to listen to the Text Talk conversation between Andrew Roberts and Edwin Crozier.

PATHS:
Discuss Today’s Meditation with Your Family

What do you want to share with others from 2 Peter 1?

Mark 9: Nothing But Prayer

Today’s reading is Mark 9.

When Jesus and His inner circle came down from the mountain, they found the rest of the disciples failing to cast out a demon. As readers, we’re surprised. After all, Jesus gave the apostles authority to cast out demons (Mark 3:15) and they already had great success doing so (Mark 6:13). Jesus quickly dispatched the demon when the father of the demon-possessed boy declared his faith: “I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24).

But the disciples were bemused. Why, after so many victories in the spiritual battle with demons, were they unable to cast this demon out? Jesus responded, “This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer” (Mark 9:29). Some manuscripts add “and fasting.”

But Jesus didn’t pray. He simple rebuked the unclean spirit, saying, “You mute and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him and never enter him again” (Mark 9:25). Clearly, He didn’t mean this particular kind of demon could only be driven out by a specific prayer to God as the exorcising mechanism. He didn’t use one. Jesus’s point is not about a specific prayer, but prayer in general. His point is about having a spiritually disciplined life in which we are trained for godliness, piety, and reverence through prayer (and perhaps fasting).

The apostles had apparently not developed the prayer habit and connection with the Father which Jesus had demonstrated. They seemed to believe this authority over demons was simply a power granted to them rather than recognizing the ongoing reliance and dependence upon God needed to victoriously work in the battles they faced.

As I’ve demonstrated in previous posts, I don’t believe any of us will be doing battles with demon-possessed people. But the principle here applies across the board in our spiritual fight. We will face plenty of battles in which the only way to victory is through prayer. But not through some specific prayer in some specific moment. We will face battles in which the only way to victory is having an ongoing habit of relying on and connecting with God through prayer, repeatedly asking for His power to be present in our lives to give us victory.

In fact, I have no doubt there are times in my own life when if Jesus were to speak directly to me, He would have responded similarly. “Jesus, why am I having so much trouble defeating this sin?” “Why am I having so much trouble understanding this scripture?” “Why am I having so much trouble teaching this person?” “Why am I have so much trouble in my marriage and my parenting?” His response would be, “Edwin, this battle cannot be won by anything but prayer.”

Are you praying?

Tomorrow’s reading is Mark 9.

PODCAST!!!

Click here to take about 15 minutes to listen to the Text Talk conversation between Andrew Roberts and Edwin Crozier.

PATHS:
Discuss Today’s Meditation with Your Family

How does Mark 9 prompt or improve your hope in God?

Mark 9: Elijah Did Come

Today’s reading is Mark 9.

As He was transfigured before the three apostles, Jesus spoke with Moses and Elijah. For the life of me, I have no idea how Peter, James, and John knew it was Moses and Elijah. It’s not like they had a photo of those two men. But, in some way, they knew.

The manifestation of Elijah prompted a question. They had no idea what Jesus meant by saying He would rise from the dead, but they did have Messianic expectations. They believed Jesus was the Messiah and they knew what the scribes said. Before the Messiah reigns, Elijah was supposed to come. I can imagine when the apostles saw Moses and Elijah, they thought the fulfillment of that promise was beginning. Here was Elijah standing before them. No doubt, he was going to come down the mountain with and get to work fulfilling the words of the scribes. Then Jesus would be able to do His Messianic work, sit on the throne of David, and rule the world.

No doubt, the scribes said Elijah must come first because Malachi had said something along those lines. Read Malachi’s prophecy as seen in the Septuagint.

And look, I am sending to you Elijah the Tishbite before the great and manifest day of the Lord comes, who will restore the heart of a father to a son and the heart of a person to his neighbor, lest I should come and strike the land entirely.
–Malachi 4:4-5 (LES2)

Jesus connects back to that passage when He responds, “Elijah does come first to restore all things” (Mark 9:12, ESV). Jesus keys in on “restore.” The scribes are right about this one because on this one, they are merely teaching what Scripture said.

But then Jesus takes it a step further:

But I tell you that Elijah has come, and they did to him whatever they pleased, as it is written of him.
–Mark 9:13 (ESV)

Mark’s account of the gospel leaves this point hanging. Though, I doubt we need the parallel gospels to figure out about whom Jesus is talking. To be certain, the angel of the Lord told Zechariah his and Elizabeth’s son John would “turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared” (Luke 1:16-17, ESV). And in Matthew’s account of the trip down the Mount of Transfiguration, Matthew includes, “Then the disciples understood that he was speaking to them of John the Baptist” (Matthew 17:13, ESV).

But here’s the big issue. How did the people respond to John? Certainly, he had some followers. But in the end, John died unceremoniously by the machinations of Herodias. There was no great spiritual revival in Israel. In fact, while a handful of people became loyal to Jesus to whom John pointed, most didn’t. And Jesus also would be executed. In His case, there was a lot of pomp and ceremony. And the large crowds called for His execution. “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!” Does that sound a like a people prepared for the Messiah? Does that sound likes hearts of the fathers turned to their children or the hearts of people turned to their neighbors? Not to me.

And this brings us to the part of Malachi’s promise which we most often overlook. Malachi said Elijah will come to turn the fathers to the children and vice versa. The angel in Luke said that would be John’s role. However, scroll back up and read that promise from Malachi again. The promise was a conditional statement. If Elijah didn’t turn the hearts of the fathers to the children and so on, God would come and strike the land entirely. In other words, Malachi didn’t promise Elijah would successfully and certainly cause this restoration. Rather, Elijah would come to do this thing, but if it didn’t happen, then judgment.

What does Jesus say about how John was treated? “They did to him whatever they pleased.” In 1 Kings 19, Jezebel threatened and attempted to kill Elijah. She was thwarted from her plan. However, where Jezebel failed, Herodias succeeded and had John executed. Where does that leave the promise about Elijah coming? God will come and “strike the land with a decree of utter destruction” (Malachi 4:6, ESV). That is precisely what happened in 70 AD. Jerusalem was struck with a decree of utter destruction.

Malachi made a promise by the Spirit of the Lord. It came to pass. While the path of this promise and prophecy is sad and distressing, the ultimate end is a reason to praise the Lord.

And let us pick up on an important point. Moses and Elijah were seen by the apostles generations after their earthly lives. While Jesus was not a resurrected John, as Herod feared, let us be quite certain John lives.

Praise the Lord!

Tomorrow’s reading is Mark 9.

PODCAST!!!

Click here to take about 15 minutes to listen to the Text Talk conversation between Andrew Roberts and Edwin Crozier.

PATHS:
Discuss Today’s Meditation with Your Family

How does Mark 9 prompt or improve your hope in God?

Mark 9: Listen to Jesus

Today’s reading is Mark 9.

In a scene reminiscent of Moses going up on the mountain and speaking with God, even seeing some of His glory, Jesus takes three of the apostles onto a high mountain and is transfigured before them. The apostles are terrified. They have no idea what to say about this. What a perfect invitation for Peter to say something.

Rabbi, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.
–Mark 9:5 (ESV)

The cloud overshadowed Peter and the other two apostles. From the cloud a voice declared:

This is my beloved Son; listen to him.
—Mark 9:7 (ESV)

Think about this on two levels. First, in the flow of Mark’s account of the gospel. Second, as a larger scale point about the purpose of the gospel.

At the first level, just a few verses prior to this event, Jesus told of His impending death and resurrection. Not understanding how the Christ could suffer like this, Peter rebuked Jesus. Jesus told him to set his mind on God’s things, not man’s. Now, on this mountain when Peter once again sticks his foot in his mouth, the lesson is “Listen to Jesus.” In other words, “Peter, talk less, listen more.” When Jesus was teaching, Peter needed to quit trying to figure out the thing to say to make himself look good. He needed to simply listen. Jesus knows what He’s talking about. We should probably listen as well.

At the second level, Mark has been writing to demonstrate the authority of Jesus. He is king. He is in authority. He fulfills the Law and the Prophets. He surpasses the Law and the Prophets. Peter surely thinks he is doing a great thing by putting Jesus on a level with Moses and Elijah. The voice from the cloud (the Father) explains Jesus is on a higher plane than these two prophets. No doubt, Moses and Elijah point to Jesus. We can learn about the Messiah from them and the Scripture they represent. But Jesus is the real manifestation of God and His will. We need to listen to Jesus. He is the mediator of our covenant. We are no longer under the authority of Moses and Elijah or any of the rest of those ancient prophets. We are under Jesus Christ. We need to listen to His message, His covenant, His teaching.

Are you listening?

Tomorrow’s reading is Mark 9.

PODCAST!!!

Click here to take about 15 minutes to listen to the Text Talk conversation between Andrew Roberts and Edwin Crozier.

PATHS:
Discuss Today’s Meditation with Your Family

How does Mark 9 prompt or improve your praise of God?

Listen to Jesus

Today’s reading is Matthew 17.

Peter, bless his heart, sticks his foot in his mouth once again. He tried hard, and sometimes he was praised and blessed for being the one who stepped out on a limb. However, on occasions such as this one, he missed the mark entirely.

“Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” That sounds good, doesn’t it? Peter’s being very respectful. Moses and Elijah are two of the, if not the two, most important people in Israel’s history. They represent the Law and the Prophets. They deserve respect and honor. On top of that, Peter is saying Jesus deserves just as much honor as those two men of greatness.

But then God jumps into the conversation. A bright cloud overshadowed them and God spoke from the cloud: “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” He called to mind Psalm 2 and the King whom God has installed on His holy Mt. Zion.

All this explains that Jesus is not just a lawgiver on a level of the greatest lawgivers. Jesus is not one great prophet among many great prophets. Jesus is above all these others. We must listen to Jesus. The author of Hebrews drew this out, saying, “Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power” (Hebrews 1:1-3, ESV). This passage is actually driving home the entire point of the Transfiguration episode.

There are many voices out there vying for our attention. Some of them had even been from God and were the authority for a time. But now, Jesus is the manifest expression of God, His mind, and His will. If Jesus said it (and of course that includes saying it through His Holy Spirit to the apostles and prophets of the New Testament), then we must listen. The rest may be honorable and respectable, but do not hold a candle to the glory and majesty and authority of Jesus Christ.

Let’s listen to Jesus today.

Tomorrow’s reading is Matthew 17.

PODCAST!!!

Click here to take about 15 minutes to listen to the Text Talk conversation between Andrew Roberts and Edwin Crozier sparked by this post.

Discuss the Following Questions with Your Family

1. What are your initial reactions to the chapter and the written devo above?
2. Very practically, if we are supposed to listen to Jesus over Moses and Elijah, what does this mean about how we view the Old Testament?
3. Does this mean we should ignore the Old Testament? Why or why not?
4. How would you have responded if you had been Peter?
5. What do you think we should pray for and about in light of this chapter and today’s post?

The Glory of the Lord

Today’s reading is Matthew 17.

In Exodus 33-34, Moses went up on Mt. Sinai to meet with the Lord. He asked to see God’s glory. The Lord granted partial permission. He explained Moses couldn’t see the full glory of the Lord and live. Who could? But He would protect Moses from the full onslaught of the amazing glory and let him see the “back” of His glory.

When God passed before Moses, He descended in a cloud and declared His name, that is, His nature: “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children’s children, to the third and fourth generation” (Exodus 34:6-7, ESV).

When Moses came down the mountain from this monumental meeting, the shining glory of the Lord had been so intense it rubbed off on Moses. The skin of His face shone. It was so incredible, he had to cover his face most of the time.

In Matthew 17, we come full circle. Now Moses and Elijah (who also had a mountain experience with the Lord) were back on a mountain. This time they are talking with Jesus. I wish I knew what was in that conversation. And Jesus is shining. “His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light.” Then a “bright cloud overshadowed them” and God spoke from the cloud.

Surely, all of this is tied together. When we see Jesus shining and bright clouds and God talking, we are supposed to remember Moses’s meeting with God. We are supposed to remember the glory of the Lord. In fact, I suggest we are supposed to remember the name of the Lord. This really gets right down to the very nature of Jesus. He has the glory of the Lord. He doesn’t have it because of a meeting with God, like Moses did. It isn’t something that rubs off on Him. Rather, He is the one who has the glory already when Moses and Elijah meet with Him. He has this glory in Himself. He is the Lord.

Now we know who Jesus is. He is the Lord who was declared to Moses millennia earlier. He is the reason that is God’s name. He is the reason God can declare that He forgives but also won’t clear the guilty. Through Jesus, guilt is taken away. But those who refuse to come to Jesus remain guilty.

What an amazing King we have in Jesus. He is merciful and gracious. He is slow to anger. He is abounding in loyal love and faithfulness. Praise the Lord!

Tomorrow’s reading is Matthew 17.

PODCAST!!!

Click here to take about 15 minutes to listen to the Text Talk conversation between Andrew Roberts and Edwin Crozier sparked by this post.

Discuss the Following Questions with Your Family

1. What are your initial reactions to the chapter and the written devo above?
2. Do you think we are right that these two scenes are supposed to be connected in our minds? Why or why not?
3. Why is God so glorious?
4. Why is Jesus so glorious?
5. What do you think we should pray for and about in light of this chapter and today’s post?