Are You Listening to the Experts on Faith?

February 21, 2023

By Brooke Holt

“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. For when he received honor and glory from God the Father and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, ‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,’ we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain.” 2 Peter 1:16-18

In this day, we constantly want to hear from the experts, and we can find many supposed experts out there. You need only look at Facebook or Twitter to see that. When speaking about things of the Christian faith, Peter qualified as an expert. Why? Because Peter lived, worked, ate, and walked with Jesus throughout his three years of earthly ministry. Peter was one of the twelve disciples and, along with James and John, one of Jesus’ most intimate friends.

Jesus brought only three men with him to the Mount of Transfiguration. There, these men had a front row to Jesus’ glory revelation. Surely, Jesus brought three not just because they were among his closest friends but because they would have had to check the story between themselves repeatedly. Did we really see that, hear that, experience that?

As Peter writes about his experience with Jesus that day, he longs for his readers to understand what he saw with his own eyes and heard with his own ears. Jesus was glorified in the presence of Peter, James, and John. Not only did they see his glory, but the Father affirmed that Jesus was truly the Son of God, the promised Messiah.

That truth changes everything! Peter was certainly changed after beholding the glory of the Lord Jesus, and he shares his experience so that you, too, may come to believe and to be assured in your faith. Just as Jesus told Peter at their first meeting, Peter would give up everything to follow Jesus and to become a fisher of men. Beholding true glory beckons one to the greatest call – the call to follow Jesus.

Peter, the expert, spoke through this letter. Now, will you listen? Will you also allow the Lord to transform you and become a sold-out follower of Jesus?

Reflection:

Do you understand the good news of Jesus Christ? Has it radically changed you as it did Peter? How do you spread this good news? How has it changed your work, your relationships, your life? We would love to hear your thoughts in the comments.

Recommended Resource:

The Crucified Life small group Christian study is designed to reflect upon the Seven Last Words of Christ from the cross and what they mean for us today. Walk the road of Calvary with Jesus in order to grow closer to Him. The Crucified Life small group study examines human suffering as it is mirrored in Christ’s suffering on the cross and what His seven last words say to a hurting world. Find out incredible insights into these words as Jesus teaches us, even in death, how we can use our suffering and triumph over it for His glory. Begin your Crucified Life today.