2 Peter 1:12-21 BibleGateway.com
This text comes to us, we who lose our way in the demands of our lives, as a reminder, a call to think again the story of Jesus Christ. There is no suggestion here that we neglect the duties and details of our lives. Instead, we are reminded that in the darkness that haunts our lives, the story of Jesus is and always will be our light. This should be no surprise. That is the point: that we already know this. We simply forget to think it. We forget to remember this light.
But how do we remember? How do we find this light? Where is it? What do we need to do? It is striking that the text does not suggest that Jesus is everywhere, that his light shines within us and around us. We cannot, for instance, go to the mount ourselves and witness the transfiguration firsthand. Instead, we have witnesses. We have prophets. We have texts.
This text assures us that the witnesses are true, that the apostles really saw the glory of Jesus, that prophets speak not their own mind but, carried by the spirit, speak from God.
The light of Jesus and the words of God come to us in the holy texts. We find the light by reading. And reading again. Until the day dawns when Jesus’ light is everywhere, the light comes to us in written words. The morning star rises in our hearts when we read the prophecies and stories of Jesus. The Bible is our memory and our light.
Prayer: Gracious God, open our minds and hearts to your word, that as we read the Scriptures, the light will dawn and your truth will hold us forever, through Christ our Lord.
Amen
Lewis Donelson
Ruth A. Campbell Professor of New Testament Studies
Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary
CLICK HERE to listen to each day's devotional.
This text comes to us, we who lose our way in the demands of our lives, as a reminder, a call to think again the story of Jesus Christ. There is no suggestion here that we neglect the duties and details of our lives. Instead, we are reminded that in the darkness that haunts our lives, the story of Jesus is and always will be our light. This should be no surprise. That is the point: that we already know this. We simply forget to think it. We forget to remember this light.
But how do we remember? How do we find this light? Where is it? What do we need to do? It is striking that the text does not suggest that Jesus is everywhere, that his light shines within us and around us. We cannot, for instance, go to the mount ourselves and witness the transfiguration firsthand. Instead, we have witnesses. We have prophets. We have texts.
This text assures us that the witnesses are true, that the apostles really saw the glory of Jesus, that prophets speak not their own mind but, carried by the spirit, speak from God.
The light of Jesus and the words of God come to us in the holy texts. We find the light by reading. And reading again. Until the day dawns when Jesus’ light is everywhere, the light comes to us in written words. The morning star rises in our hearts when we read the prophecies and stories of Jesus. The Bible is our memory and our light.
Prayer: Gracious God, open our minds and hearts to your word, that as we read the Scriptures, the light will dawn and your truth will hold us forever, through Christ our Lord.
Amen
Lewis Donelson
Ruth A. Campbell Professor of New Testament Studies
Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary
CLICK HERE to listen to each day's devotional.
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For the glory of God and to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ, Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary is a seminary in the Presbyterian-Reformed tradition whose mission is to educate and equip individuals for the ordained Christian ministry and other forms of Christian service and leadership; to employ its resources in the service of the church; to promote and engage in critical theological thought and research; and to be a winsome and exemplary community of God's people.CLICK HERE to learn how you can support the mission of Austin Seminary
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