Watch Out
Devotions on 2 Peter 1:16-2:2, 15-19
Monday–Watch Out
“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” (2 Peter 1:16).
The men’s breakfast club was made up of seven young men who enjoyed breakfast together every Wednesday morning. They had met in college, had come from all walks of life and were now employed in a variety of occupations. Their friendship and faith were the glue that held them together.
After a brief discussion of the weather and the championship prospects of the local sports team, the morning conversation turned to baptism. One of the men was having his baby girl baptized the coming Sunday. Three of the men worshipped in congregations that practiced adult/believer baptism. The remaining four worshipped where infant baptism was celebrated. Bible verses were thrown back and forth between the men. Theological arguments were offered, which were both pro and con. The men’s conversation was a respectful discussion of divergent viewpoints.
The depth of the conversation increased, and the tone changed, though, when one of the men shared a story. “Ginny and I had our son, Jason baptized when he was six months old,” he began. “When the pastor poured water over Jason’s head, I felt God’s presence. As the pastor repeated the words, ‘Jason is baptized in the name of the Father …,’ I swear I heard God’s voice proclaiming, ‘This is my son, my beloved, in whom I am well pleased.” Across the table one of the men looked startled. “I was baptized when I was twelve,” he shared. “When I came out of the water, I swear I heard God’s voice say those very same words to me.”
The writer of Second Peter makes the point that his words did not come from “cleverly devised myths, like the teachings of the mystery religions or idol worship. Instead, his words were based on eyewitness accounts. Our lives of faith are not lived out through theological arguments, but rather are experiences of God’s love and grace.
Fill us Holy Spirit so that we not only walk in your love and grace but also share that same love and grace. Amen.
Tuesday–Watch Out
“’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” (2 Peter 1:17b-18).
It is interesting that the writer of Second Peter misquotes the three synoptic gospels’ (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) account of this event. All three of these gospels include the words, “Listen to him.” The writer wants to underscore to his readers that his words are not based on a theory. He insists that that he actually heard God identify Jesus as God’s son. Leaving out the words, “Listen to him,” is significant, however.
If Jesus is only identified as God’s son, then all we need to do is worship him. Our walk of faith could be solely comprised of gathering with others on Sunday morning, singing worship songs, listening to a sermon, and enjoying coffee and donuts. We could be good Christians and bigoted jerks at the same time. The words “Listen to him,” eliminates that as an option.
“Listen to him,” instructs Jesus’ disciples (both then and now) to act on Jesus’ teaching and follow his example. Jesus commanded his followers to love one another just as he had loved them. Such love was not confined to a select group but was to know no boundaries. Following Jesus’ example, we heal the sick, include the marginalized, strive for justice and seek equality. Jesus never tells his disciples to, “Worship me.” He does call his disciples to, “Follow me.”
May our lives, Lord, be living sacrifices to you (Romans 12:1) as we follow you in word and deed. Amen.
Wednesday–Watch Out
“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” (2 Peter 1:19).
We all have those days—times when dense gloom clouds form over us blocking the light and draining us of energy. Often these clouds are accompanied by the thunder of negative comments, criticisms and judgmental statements rumbling through our minds. We crave the sunlight, but we can’t disperse the clouds, nor can we silence the thunder. At other times tragedy strikes and we are engulfed in the thick darkness of grief, confusion, and despair.
The communities to which the writer of Second Peter wrote certainly encountered such times. Early Christians faced rejection by their families, social marginalization, and financial hardships. There were also the possibilities of imprisonment or execution because of their faith. The writer did not encourage his readers with the empty words, “Things will get better.” His instructions were, “Be attentive … to [the] lamp shining in a dark place.”
The lamp, of course, is the person of Jesus the Christ. Through his life, death, and resurrection he proclaims God’s love and God’s presence in our lives. These truths shine in our lives. They drive away the clouds, silence the voices, and dispel the darkness.
“Lord, the light of your love is shining/ In the midst of the darkness, shining/ Jesus, Light of the world, shine upon us/ Set us free by the truth you now bring us/ Shine on [us], shine on [us].” Amen. (“Shine, Jesus Shine,” by Graham Kendrick)
Thursday–Watch Out
“First of all you must understand this, that no prophecy of scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, 21 because no prophecy ever came by human will, but men and women moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God” (2 Peter 1:20-21).
We may debate the degree to which God used men and women, or what is meant by “spoke from God.” There are two truths we can celebrate.
First, we can celebrate that God has chosen to work with and move through men and women. The people who wrote and edited the books of Scripture (the writer of Second Peter was referring to the Hebrew Scriptures) were not demigods or superheroes. They were regular men and women whom God chose to use to accomplish God’s will.
Secondly, we can rejoice that God speaks to us. God certainly remains a mystery to us. At the same time, God has revealed who God is through the words of the Bible. God is most clearly revealed in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. And even more, the Holy Spirit whispers words of love, assurance, and hope to our hearts.
Thank you, Lord, for using us to accomplish your will, and for revealing yourself to us. Amen.
Friday–Watch Out
“But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive opinions” (2 Peter 2:1).
Do you remember the cartoon strip “Pogo”? A famous quote from the strip says, “We have met the enemy, and he is us.” The writer of Second Peter agrees with Pogo. Usually, we are on the lookout to be attacked by our enemies from the outside. The writer of Second Peter warns that our real enemies persuade us from the inside.
Historically, this has been true. Church authorities instigated the Crusades. A branch of the church carried out the Spanish Inquisition. Various church bodies have supported slavery and segregation through the centuries. Today there are congregations that oppose women in leadership positions, gay rights and transgender equality, and the acceptance of people of other nationalities and faiths.
The main issue is not doctrinal differences, but lifestyles that are inconsistent with the teaching of Jesus. Jesus proclaimed that all people are children of God. He commanded his followers to love one another. As followers of Jesus, we turn deaf ears to the false teachers who encourage us to judge and hate. Instead, we live lives that love the unlovable, forgive the unforgiveable and allow our lives to shine brightly with God’s love and grace.
Lord, you love us so much. Empower us to share that love with everyone around us. Amen.
Saturday–Watch Out
“Even so, many will follow their licentious ways, and because of these teachers the way of truth will be maligned” (2 Peter 2:2).
It is no secret that people are leaving the Christian church in droves. Studies have shown the exodus is not caused by long, boring sermons, ancient liturgies, or because weak coffee was served during the after-worship refreshment times. The reason many people are becoming “noners” (no religious affiliation) is because a significant part of the Christian church is perceived as judgmental and hateful, rather than accepting and loving.
Citing the need for biblical purity and the desire to reestablish the Bible’s authority, many religious leaders have led their followers away from the teachings of Jesus. Jesus only spoke words of judgment toward religious folks. Otherwise, Jesus’ words were words of acceptance. All are children of God. The rich and powerful are children of God, as are the poor, the excluded, the different, and the outsiders.
Many things were not god pleasing in Judean, Mid-Eastern and Roman societies. Those early Christians, though, did not proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ by being against everything. Instead, they chose to live different lives. They were people who loved and cared for one another. While living in a very class orientated society, they decided to live as equals. In a society that focused on self-attainment, the early Christians lived to serve others and minister to them in their various situations.
Jesus tells his disciples to, “Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). We do this by emulating Jesus and allowing the Holy Spirit to touch people with God’s love and grace and draw them to the light.
Fill us with your love, Lord, that your Spirit may use us to draw others into the reality of your kin-dom. Amen.
Sunday–Watch Out
“They have left the straight road and have gone astray” (2 Peter 2:15a).
There’s an old bumper sticker that read “PBPWMGITWMY.” Translated it read, “Please Be Patient With Me God Isn’t Through With Me Yet.” How true! We are works in progress. This means that there are times when we have left, we are leaving, and we will leave the straight road and go astray. We will mess up, and we will sin.
Ours is not a dead-end street, however, with no way to turn around and head in the right direction. Like the prodigal son, when we realize our mistakes our God will run toward us and welcome us back with open arms.
There are times we wander and get lost. We may not know the way back, but we have a Good Shepherd who does. God seeks us out, finds us, and carries us back to the flock.
Forgiveness is an important part of the love God has for us. God proclaims our forgiveness, assures us of God’s love, and sends us back out into the world to share God’s love and grace.
Lord, thank you for your forgiveness. Amen.