February 10, 2002 2 Peter 1:16-21
16 We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 For 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." 18 We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain.
19 And we have the word of the prophets made more certain, 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. 20 Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation. 21 For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
Where would the following conversation take place? "What do you want to get? I don’t care! Let’s just pick one! I want this one. I don’t want to watch that - it’s too mushy! How about this? No way!" Every time that we go to watch a video - not every time - but quite often - we have a hard time agreeing on what we want to watch. Therefore, it’s the job of marketing specialists to get you to decide to watch THEIR product. Consider how one of the networks tried to steal the crowd at half time of the Super Bowl by trying to entice the men to watch Playboy models on Fear Factor. It didn’t work. Only 6% watched it. U2 stole the show, and so did the Patriots, just as I predicted. (Ok, maybe I was wrong.) Overall, almost half of American TV’s were tuned in to the Super Bowl, so FOX won that portion of the competition. And that’s not easy to do.
One of the neatest marketing strategies that I have seen was when a company introduced a product that was going to change and revolutionize the world. It was cleverly done. They only called it "it." By not saying what "it" was, I really wanted to find out what "it" was. And when it was revealed - it ended up being a scooter that you can stand on and go up to 15 miles an hour on. Pretty neat.
In today’s text, Peter tells us to "pay attention to it." And why should we pay attention to "it"? What is God’s "marketing strategy" for "it"? We’ll find out today as Peter tells us to -
Pay Attention to "IT"
When Peter tells us to pay attention to "it," meaning the word of the prophets, this might seem difficult, or it might even seem boring. Why? If you are reading through or listening to the Old Testament according to our Faith Comes By Hearing Program, you probably noticed that Genesis was easy to read. But once you got to Leviticus, it wasn’t so easy to pay attention. Why not? Listen to the first three verses -
1 The LORD called to Moses and spoke to him from the Tent of Meeting. He said, 2 "Speak to the Israelites and say to them: `When any of you brings an offering to the LORD, bring as your offering an animal from either the herd or the flock.
It doesn’t seem very exciting to many living in 2002 America to listen to what kind of meat an Israelite was eating thousands of years ago or what kind of animals to slaughter. Whereas Genesis is a book of action packed stories, Leviticus is a book of commands and regulations, which makes it more difficult to pay attention to.
In order to offset this lack of attention, Peter reminded the Christians that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. But is that good enough for us to know that even the words of Leviticus are inspired by the Holy Spirit? Be honest about it. If it isn’t what we consider "pertinent" or "riveting", we say, "I’ve got better things to do." It’s sad, but true how disrespectful we are to God’s Word. Imagine taking the time to carefully write a letter to someone you loved, just to have them tell you your letter is boring and throw it out!
Now, the devil knows that we like to listen to stories. So what would the devil use to get us to stray from the faith? When Peter wrote this letter, he made a point of saying that he and the apostles did not follow cleverly invented stories. Later on Peter even predicted that teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up. That word for "clever" can also be translated "concocted subtly" or "slyly." When you exploit someone you are using someone’s strengths or their interests or fears for your own benefit . This was happening during Peter’s time - and it has happened throughout the ages.
Here’s one example. When Jeremiah lived among the Israelites, God had predicted that the Israelites would go into captivity for 70 years. The people feared such a long captivity. They did not want to hear that. Hananiah knew the people feared this. And he probably knew that the people would be willing to give HIM their offerings and their attention if he told them a story that would exploit their fears. So Jeremiah 28 says, the prophet Hananiah took the yoke off the neck of the prophet Jeremiah and broke it, 11 and he said before all the people, "This is what the LORD says: ‘In the same way will I break the yoke of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon off the neck of all the nations within two years.’" In a very picturesque way Hananiah made up a story that the Israelites would return in TWO years instead 70! That way, the people would follow HIM. He exploited them with a story he made up.
During Mohammed’s life the people that he lived among were very divided by religion. The Jews and Christians couldn’t get along. And many people within his home town worshiped hundreds of different idols. So Mohammed went up to Medina and told them of a very colorful vision he had on Mt. Hara where Gabriel told him there was only ONE God. This vision of ONE God was a blend of the Christian’s view of God and the Jews’ version. This religion promised the people a middle point where they could supposedly "meet" and a lifestyle that they could live together. It told of the race descended from ISHMAEL - that was also descended from Abraham. It gave the Arabs a greater sense of belonging and connected them to the Jews in an indirect way when Mohammed told them that they also were a "special race" descended from Abraham. It also called Jesus a prophet from God, sounding attractive to unknowing Christians. Unfortunately, it also denied that Jesus was true God and Savior of the world.
Joseph Smith started the same way. When many Christians were not agreeing with one another, Joseph Smith came along and said, "you’re all wrong. We need to restore Christianity to it’s early roots - as it was back in early America when ancient peoples lived here!" With a vivid story of so called Nephites and Lamanites he told the people of an ancient truth that was hidden for ages in golden tablets. He offered them a direct connection to God by calling himself a prophet, offering them prosperity and truth, and giving them promises of eternal families in heaven. Unfortunately, his promises were based on man made regulations.
Both of these religions also exploit the natural desire we have in us to earn our way to heaven. They offer vivid ways of winning the prize of heaven. Joseph Smith’s word of wisdom tells Mormons to not drink certain kinds of tea or coffee, wear a certain kind of underwear, go on a mission, get married for spirit children . . and by following these VIVID instructions of even the modern day prophets they can inherit their own heaven with many wives. Mohammed told his people to make sure to give the "zakah" - the gift to the poor - and then they would earn heaven. (Quran 3:97) Mohammed then painted this picture of heaven in the Quran -
[76:15] They are served drinks in silver containers and cups that are translucent.
[76:16] Translucent cups, though made of silver; they rightly deserved all this.
[76:17] They enjoy drinks of delicious flavors.
[76:18] From a spring therein known as "Salsabeel."
[76:19] Serving them will be immortal servants. When you see them, they will look like scattered pearls.
[76:20] Wherever you look, you will see bliss, and a wonderful dominion.
[76:21] On them will be clothes of green velvet, satin, and silver ornaments. Their Lord will provide them with pure drinks.
[76:22] This is the reward that awaits you, for your efforts have been appreciated.
[78:31] The righteous have deserved a reward.
[78:32] Orchards and grapes.
[78:33] Magnificent spouses.
Hey, who wouldn’t want magnificent spouses and some good Salsabeel in cups of translucent silver? All of these are cleverly invented stories that were used to appeal to basic needs and wants.
And this even occurs within different sectors of Christianity. Catholicism is full of so called visions and revelations that connect people with statues and trinkets to give them a feeling of a "direct connection" with God. In the last few decades the so-called "wise scholars" have offered a "more in-depth view" of the Bible. Liberal theologians in the Lutheran, Baptist, Methodist and other religions claim that much of the Bible needs to be deciphered between what is true and what is myth. With their great "knowledge" and "insight" they claim to be able to give us a picture of the "historic Jesus." In doing so they take Jesus off of the cross and make him into an interesting fellow who was the son of some journeyman who they claim had sex with Mary. They cross out most of the miracles. These cleverly invented stories appeal to those who think they are scholarly and above the childish stories of the Bible.
This was even going on during Peter’s time. There are several letters that are still around today that people claimed were written by Elijah and others. Some claimed to have direct revelation from God - and many followed them and their stories. This is not to say that stories are evil. The Bible is full of quite vivid pictures and descriptions. But what did Peter say made a difference between his teachings and the others? He and the apostles did not follow cleverly invented stories. They didn’t make their stories up.
One such story that was not made up was the Transfiguration, which we are studying today. Peter said, we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. What did they witness? Peter, James and John witnessed that 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." 18 We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain. They themselves had heard God’s voice say that Jesus was HIS Son. How important this was! For old Jewish law stated that every matter must be established by two or three witnesses. Not only did Jesus claim to be the Messiah, but God the Father also said the same! And what else did the Father say about Jesus? With him I am well pleased. Out of all of the people in this world who had failed God in some way - Adam, David, you, and me - God was well pleased with Jesus.
Why was this so important? Well, remember where Jesus was going - to die on the cross. Whenever you go through suffering, it is natural for you to think, "what did I do to deserve this?" Even Jesus cried this out on the cross, "My God, my God, WHY have you forsaken me?" What did I do to deserve this? The answer to this natural question that the disciples and Jesus would ask was getting the answer, "NOTHING!" God the Father was well pleased with Jesus. He was innocent! This is important. For if Jesus did nothing to deserve going to the cross, then he must have gone there for some other reason. And that reason is made clear in Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians - "God made him who had no sin to be sin FOR US, so that IN HIM we might become the righteousness of God." Jesus went to the cross not because of HIS sin, but because of OUR sin. As Jesus was dying on the cross, Peter, James, and John would be looking at someone who looked like he was rejected by God. But this voice from heaven would keep ringing in their ears - "well pleased, well pleased, WELL PLEASED!" It would be this vision and voice that would prepare them and strengthen them to go through the valley of Jesus’ death. After all was said and done they could then use this story of Jesus’ Transfiguration as proof that he really was the chosen Messiah.
Isn’t this, then, a most wonderful story for us to hear? Not just because it’s not a cleverly invented story, but because it’s a story of comfort and forgiveness. Since God was well pleased with Jesus, he must have been going to the cross for a different reason. And 1 John tells us, He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world. Jesus, the one who pleased God, was going to the cross for US, who haven’t pleased God! If we questioned this at all - if there were some hint that Jesus actually might have to the cross for an extra-marital affair, or because he talked back to God, then we would have NO assurance of our salvation. But with these words, WELL PLEASED, we are completely assured that Jesus then must have died FOR US.
Do you see, then, how this story of something that happened to three mortals thousands of years ago is actually exciting to us today? When you heard this was Transfiguration Sunday, how many of you may have thought, "what’s the big deal about this story? Jesus was called well pleased by God." Oh, God forgive us for our blindness! This is why we need to "pay CLOSE ATTENTION to it - just like you focus on a light shining in the darkness." How often do we let very important words of God go right over our heads because we aren’t paying attention? But God has caught our attention. His voice has broken through our hard hearts and slow minds - "well pleased, well pleased, WELL PLEASED." God is WELL PLEASED with me! I get it! Praise be to God!
And so Peter encourages us to keep on paying attention to it - until the morning star rises in your heart and the day dawns. The "day" that he is talking about is Judgment Day. The "morning star" seems to be referring to having faith in Christ - rising to full view. In other words, isn’t Peter encouraging us to be persistent Bible students until the day we die? When we know our prophets well, then we won’t be led astray by the false prophets who tell us fascinating stories they have made up. When we know our Scriptures, we will be better prepared to face trials just as Peter, James, and John were better prepared to face the death of Christ with these words of God at the Transfiguration. When we know that Christ is approved by God, it will give us the strength and hope to make it through the Lenten season coming up - knowing that Christ was dying for us! With this in mind, we’ll say to ourselves, "if I can watch one hour of TV a night, I can certainly read one hour’s worth of the prophets. If I can’t get enough of a good book, I certainly can get more out of the Good Book. Even though I’ve heard this story of the Bible before, I’ll listen to it again. Even though I’ve been through confirmation, I have a lot more to learn! I am going to try and make it to the Lent services! I am going to "pay attention to it," to do my best to make it to every Bible class and study these prophets - just like I’d watch a light in a dark place!
When the manufacturers of "it", the new motor scooter introduced their new product, they caught my attention by saying that the product would change the world. In the years to come there may be thousands of people cruising around on scooters, I don’t know. I don’t know whether I’ll buy one or not. But will "it" really change the world? Maybe superficially, but that’s "it."
There are many religions out there to choose from. Many different and interesting stories to listen to. How do I know which is the right one? Peter encourages us to pay close attention to a different "it," the word of God.
How does he market it? He tells us how this story of the Transfiguration showed that Jesus was the Christ, preparing him for Jesus’ death. He tells us that the words of the prophets are actually the words of God! He tells us that these words of the prophets will help us to ward off the false prophets who try to lead us astray into the darkness of unbelief. And he tells us that these stories of Christ, unlike other stories, are TRUE.
The neat thing about this product, is that "it" sells itself, and "it" doesn’t cost a thing! Unlike the manufactured scooter called "it," the word of the prophets did change the world. "It" introduced a Light and a Hope into this world through the Gospel of Jesus Christ - free of charge! This story of Christ changed people from the darkness of sin into the light of faith. This clear Word of God has prepared us to face our Maker on Judgment Day with confidence and hope. Pay attention to "it," and it will do the same for you! Amen.
