Until the morning star rises in your heart
2 Pet 1:12-21
Introduction
According to the reliable tradition, Peter was executed in Rome during the time of Emperor Nero’s persecution. Under such a great persecution, many believers suffered martyrdom. The whole believing community lived with great fear and uncertainty for their lives. It was the time of testing the truthfulness of their faith. One of the most damaging blows came from within the community. It was those who spread a heretic idea that raised a doubt on Jesus’ Lordship as the Son of God and on his returning in glory to restore the kingdom. Undoubtedly they were under great duress that was severe enough to break all enduring faith. How can we stand firm in faith through such ‘hostile’ environment?
I thank God that God gave us faith and so far we have stood firmly on the faith in Jesus. In our immediate environment, we do not have such hostility mounting to the threat to our lives. Nevertheless, we have great threats from post-Christian ideas and heresies about Christian belief. The most damaging heresy is various ideologies clothed with a most humane love while denying God’s authority or Lordship of Jesus in their lives. Characteristic markers of such heresy is denying their sins and denying the Lordship of Jesus Christ, and denying God’s judgment while embracing all other teachings. In some aspects, such heresy is more damaging to the wellbeing of our faith in the Lord than outright persecution and threat to our physical well-being. Many among church members have welcomed such ideology as part of their faith and some even showed disdain and contempt to those who holds up the Lordship of Jesus absolutely. How can we overcome this?
In the first part of ch 1, he gave instructions how to live a successful life as a Christian to enter the kingdom of God. It is summed up in three; God has given everything that we need for life in and through our knowledge of Christ. We ought to know him for in him we have God’s promise. Lastly, by faith in him we are to make every effort to grow in him so that we might be welcomed to the kingdom of God. It was not about how one can be saved but about how one can be sanctified. It must start from faith and should strive to attain to godly love, the kind of love that Jesus demonstrated on the cross for the sinners. It is truly lofty goal even seemingly an impossible goal as we look at our inner being that is filled with all kinds of selfish desires, which we are often helpless in curtailing.
Today’s passage is about how we can defend from enemies within, the weakness of flesh, and the other from outside, all kinds of temptations, particularly in this situation a heretic ideas about Christian life.
The answer is decidedly clear, it is through the word of God.
A. I will always remind you of these things (12-15)
Peter believed that the primary mean to grow them to full maturity and to protect from all heresy was to teach them these things. Before we go further, it is better to clarify what ‘these things’ meant. It is possible to mean what he said v 2-11. But if we take v2-11 as these things, he meant to remind them the Christian perspective of their lives depicted in v2-11. This is important for we ought to see such clear perspective of our lives. If this is the case then, it should be singular not plural ‘these’ for it is a specific perspective of life. So it is unlikely. It is possible that few things that were mentioned in v2-11 were called ‘these things’. Then what are those few things? There are not few things discussed as independent subjects since the verse 2-11 talk one cohesive message, for grammatically all paragraphs are connected with ‘adverbial words’ (v4 through, v5 for, v8 for) and ending paragraph begins with ‘therefore’ as the conclusion.
The first appearance of ‘these’ is in v4. It refers to the knowledge of him or his own glory and goodness. The second paragraph discourse hangs on one thing, ‘knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ’. In addition, as we examine v12-15, there is a subtle allusion that Peter would write all about what he knew of Jesus (future tenses in v12 ‘I will’ and also in v 15; though his life was about to end, he used future tense indicating even further after his death, those recordings of Jesus works will be ‘teaching’ them. It is probable to say that this may be about the Gospel of Mark, written under auspices of Peter) Thirdly, these things had to do with Peter’s teaching (v12), their memory (v13), and remembrance (v15). So ‘these’ are his own glory and goodness reflected fully in the knowledge of Jesus. This is further confirmed when it said that they knew them and were firmly established in the truth you have. We can simplify to say that these things are all about the Gospel, the entire work and life of Jesus in which Jesus’ glory and goodness were well represented.
So we can restate v12. Peter want to remind them the word of Jesus/the Gospel even though they believed and stood firmly in faith on these, the message of the Gospel of Jesus. He felt it was right thing to do and was obligated to do. He felt a great necessity to remind them again and again. It is possible that Peter meant to write it down for them so that these things might be available for the believers always.(as I alluded earlier regarding the Gospel Mark)
This is to recognize the weakness of our flesh and this is the way to overcome that any problems arises from the weakness we have. This is also to recognize that teaching the word of God or knowing the word of God, or more specifically, ‘the knowledge of Him’ is the key to thwart all cunning schemes of outside attacks in various forms of heresies.
By reminding them of these things, he wanted to refresh the memory. By refreshing the memory, he wanted the truth contained in the message of the Gospel as well as the power of that truth may be at work at the fore front of their minds. Only when the truth and its power of the Gospel lives in their heart, they could win against the weaknesses of fresh and against all ungodly schemes of the world.
What he wanted to achieve is written in v15.
15 And I will make every effort to see that after my departure you will always be able to remember these things.
Peter knew his death was coming soon and concerned greatly for the believers. He would not let the believer left without the words of Jesus or all works Jesus did. Jesus word and his work can only work on behalf of them. How can that to happen in their lives? In order to understand this sentence, I like to find exact meaning of two words; always and remember.
The word “always” in this verse is different from the “always” in v12. The “always” in v12 means all the time, continually. In v15, it means every occasions, not failing for any moments. In other word, Peter wanted the believers to remember the words and works of Jesus whenever an occasion that demands God’s truth rises so that they might be able to do what was right and good as children of God. It is to remember the pertinent biblical truth for that particular occasion! Peter wanted for them to live in the sphere of biblical truth, particularly in the world of the words and works of Jesus.
The word “remember” is a combination of two words; Mneme(μνήμη) + poieo(ποιέω). Mneme is to muse over something as if a poet muses over the beautiful nature as he contemplating its meaning and significance. Poieo is ‘work out’ or works that gods did to human beings. If we put these two together, the meaning is clear. Peter wanted for the believers be able to muse over the work that Jesus did for them whenever an occasion rises for such need. It is like making the work of God alive again in one’s heart. If I put this in my own interpretation, it is like this. When I lost everything because of what I did for the Lord, I make what Jesus did, his suffering, death on the cross, including his agonizing pain and great sense of loss, alive in my mind and heart. Like this when one’s life is in danger, he/she is to muse over the word that Jesus spoke and the pains he bore on the cross. When one is to go through so much pains and sorrows, he/she is to remember Jesus’ death, resurrection and ascension in glory. This is how the truth, Jesus, is lived in the lives of the believers.
How can this happen among us? First thing must happen first. We must remind ourselves of Jesus teachings and his works. I remember the day when I finished the study of the entire book of Mark. I divided it into few sections and on each section I summarized and captured in my mind. It gave me a great joy, for I could grasp the full scope Jesus’ work and life in truth. In it I saw the utmost wisdom and power of God for the salvation of men. We have to read and study again and again, and again. In order to let the work of truth live in our being, read daily, meditate on it daily and study again and again. We shall not get tired of doing it! In this regard, I am very happy and proud of our tradition, in which all the activities are centered on the words of God. When I visited Korea, one staff shepherd gave me a book about reading the Bible more than 1,000 times. It was the best present that I received through this visit. It gave me an insight how we can live in the spirit of Christ daily! We are to think, to reason and to live biblically! Then there won’t be any room for the weakness of our flesh to work and we shall be equipped with sounding reasoning in truth and power to thwart the cunning schemes of this world.
When our children are biblically illiterate, we will surely lose them to the world! Though over 80 % of American claims to be Christians, biblically literate Christians are very few and their mind are filled with all kinds of post Christian ideas. Often the more serious problem is that they firmly believe those ideas as true without checking against the word of God. But always hope springs up whenever the word of God is taught. The most powerful examples is seen in Paul’s third mission journey at Ephesus.
Paul had spent the third journey of mission, mostly in Ephesus. There he taught the Bible daily at Tyrannus Hall over three years. The result was a remarkable one. The people of the entire Asia Minor was jolted by the truth of the Gospel and many abandoned their pagan gods and turned to the Lord. It was the most effect mission journey.
We ought to make an effort to teach our selves the word of God daily; even on busy school days, or busy working days. Our daily bread or many other daily reading of the Bible is available through cell phone. We ought to set apart time and effort to ‘remember’ the word of God. Also, we have to make an effort to teach others the bible daily! The more I teach, the more I come to sense the meaning and significance I come to realize and I feel the power of God in me through his words.
This year, I like all of you to set a goal and program to immerse yourself in the words of God. How you do it is in your discretion. But be sure to do it. This is genuine love for Jesus in its utmost form.
B. Jesus is the Lord (16-21)
All these teachings are enforceable when they know that Jesus would come in glory to judge the world. For the believers it would be the time of glory but for those who failed to follow through Jesus’ teachings would face His judgment. But under intense persecution, some gave way to heretic idea and brought a serious doubt on Jesus’ Lordship and His returning in glory.
Though we do not face such intense persecution as the time of Emperor Nero, our relationship with him as our Lord is constantly challenged in our walk with Christ. Peter’s life was threatened and according to reliable tradition, eventually was crucified in Rome. This letter was written not long before his death. In such very tenuous situation, Peter was fully convinced that Jesus was his Lord. He gave us two facts that spoke powerfully in his heart. Also in certainty of the truth, he encouraged all believers to uphold the Lordship of Jesus to their lives. They are what Peter saw and heard at the mountain of transfiguration and the testimony of prophets.
First, Jesus’ transfiguration at the mountain. (16-18)
16 For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 He received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” i 18 We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain.
As we know through the scripture that Peter along with John and James went up with Jesus to the mountain. There they saw the glory of Jesus along with Moses and Elijah. The glory that he could never see in anyone in this world. It was a heavenly one, the glory of God Almighty. When you see once, you never forget. This was not a dream or a mystical experience. Instead it was a real experience in real place and real time. In addition, they heard the voice of God, a very uniquely heavenly one. His words were still ringing in his ears vividly as he recalled; “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” In His majestic glory, God spoke that Jesus was his son and He was well pleased with Jesus. Like this, Peter eye-witnessed Jesus’ glory. This was an indelible memory for Peter. It was not just Peter’s only but also was John’s as well as James’. So it was recorded all three Gospels.
In addition, Jesus resurrection (Matt 28:17-20) and Jesus’ ascension (Acts 1:9-11) also speak of His Lordship as the Son of God and as the Lord who will come to judge the world. Yet Peter did not give these as the proof of Jesus’ Lordship. It is worthy to note that after resurrection, many disciples saw Jesus and yet his body was same as before his death. In other word, Jesus’ transfiguration by itself speaks the Lordship of Jesus. There is no need to explain or reason why it is. This was witnessed by three, Peter, John and James and stood as irrefutable fact that Jesus is the Lord, the Son of God. In the Old Testament, God showed his glory to Moses (Exo 19,20) and the entire Israel witnessed that encounter. This was set in history and served as the anchor of all teaching that followed through. In these two ways God left us two undisputable evidences in history, one in OT and one in NT through his son Jesus, his existence, his authority as the Lord, and His glory. All the word that he spoke and taught are referred to this Lord, who appeared to Israel in the mountain Horeb, and the Lord Jesus who was transfigured in glory on the mountain.
So what he taught stand as the truth and all will be judged according to what he did; No one should dare to make mistake thinking that Jesus may be just a great man like one of many great men in human history.
Second, the prophetic message (19-21)
19 We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.
Here the prophetic message is likely to mean the OT as a whole though it is possible to mean the prophetic messages only. Many Jewish scholars looked for the Messiah. But they failed to see Jesus, the Messiah. But Jesus came and talked the words of the Messiah and did the works of Messiah and enlighten the understanding of the prophetic message on Messiah. Through his teachings, his words and his works, the believers are easy to find the prophetic message. It is said that from the first book Genesis to the last book Malachi, God was talking about his plan to send the Messiah Jesus. So he tells the believers that they have to pay attention to it. The prophetic message is a light that help them see God’s grandeur plan to send Jesus as the Lord and to restore the Kingdom of God in coming ages. When one only see Jesus’ life time, their heart is still overshadowed by some darkness. So they are to read and read and understand the prophecy until the day dawns and the morning star rises in their hearts. In other word they are to see Jesus the Messiah in God’s grandeur plan of God, which began from the creation and will fulfill recreation of the world through Jesus’ Lordship. Basically, Peter was saying that when they read and understand the prophecy of coming Messiah, they will understand that Jesus is the one and he will come in glory to restore the kingdom.
God transcendent plan and will for the world is fully unveiled in Christ and in it any trace of doubt about Jesus’ Lordship will be wiped away. When morning star Jesus rises, the dawn of light begins. When we come to know Jesus as the Lord, the true light begin to shine into our inner being.
But one thing they must bear in mind as they delve into the prophetic message.
20 Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. 21 For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
The message given through the prophets are not of their own but from God. God carried his message through the prophets. So, the message is never a word of men. It is the word of God, the Lord. So they were to seek the transcendent will of God that penetrates through the prophetic message and to Jesus. Because not only the prophetic message was of God but also Jesus was the son of God carrying out the same message of God almighty. So it is not amazing to see God’s perfect will to save the world penetrating through the history, what was written in 4000 year ago and what was written in 2000 year ago are in line with each other to speak the message of God. So they were to meditate on it until the light dawns!
Have you ever experience the beauty of the coming of the new dawn after a long and dreary, dark night? Once you experience the darkness of death giving into the dawning light, you will know the exuberant spirit of life.
I had one experience when I was about 6th grade. I went to my friend’s house and ate something like potato nuggets. We went to bed about 11 pm and I woke up in the middle of the night by intense stomachache. It was so severe that I jostled and moaned, I was sweating. But I could not wake up my friend and the outside was pitch black. I struggled for hours. I wished the dawn will come as quickly as possible. The next morning I woke up and was so shocked to know that I went to sleep again and woke up as if nothing had happened the night before. I never saw or experienced such a beautiful morning, the sun rising in the eastern sky. It was an amazing beauty! It was full of beauty and joy because I passed over a dying experience without any residue.
When we know in glimpse, a lingering doubt overshadows our hearts. But when we know God Almighty and His Lordship fully, there is no darkness at all. The light shines when we know God the creator of heaven and earth, and his son Jesus in His grandeur plan of salvation. Jesus is coming. He is coming in glory and power.
Let’s not make mistake thinking that he is not coming or his coming is being delayed. We must remember! We must pay attention to it until the morning star rises in your heart!
No comments:
Post a Comment