As I write this article, the season of Epiphany is wrapping up, and the church is preparing to enter the season of Lent. Epiphany is a season of Jesus being revealed as the Son of God, our Savior. Traditionally it begins with the birth of the Savior being revealed to the Wise Men by the light of a star. Epiphany culminates with Jesus being transfigured when we see His “unveiled glory,” and God the Father once again speaks His words of endorsement for His beloved Son.
Peter, the inspired writer of our letter, was there on the mount with Jesus. In the verses just before our section (1:16-18), Peter writes about having been an eyewitness to Jesus’ glory and an ear-witness to God the Father’s words on that mountain.
That event was so amazing that this same Peter, who didn’t understand what he was saying at the time, blurted out, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; and let us make three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” (Mark 9:5) Peter didn’t want that glorious moment to end.
Do you ever wish you had been on that holy mountain with Peter? Do you think that your faith would be stronger if you had seen the brightness of Jesus’ glory and heard the glorious voice of God the Father?
Peter, who was there, says you have something better. He points you to the glorious light of “the prophetic word.” The prophetic Word is the Old Testament Scriptures. Jesus says of the Old Testament, “these are they which testify of Me.” (John 5:39) From Moses to Malachi, the prophetic word speaks with one voice about the glorious work Jesus would do to save us from our sin.
One source lists over three hundred Old Testament passages that were fulfilled in the life of Jesus. Some passages Jesus Himself fulfilled by what He said or what He did, such as riding on a colt into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday as prophesied in Zechariah 9:9. Other passages about Jesus were fulfilled by His enemies, such as the soldiers who cast lots for Jesus’ clothes (Psalm 22:18), and pierced His hands and His feet (Psalm 22:16). King David even prophesied that Jesus would rise from the dead (Psalm 16:10)!
Truly, as Peter says, “we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed.” While the Scriptures were always true, the life of Jesus confirms just how true they are. Even better than the voice of God that spoke in one moment on the Mount of Transfiguration is the voice of God speaking to us in the prophetic Word. We can go back to that Word again and again to be more firmly established in the truth.
No wonder Peter calls on us to pay attention to the prophetic Word “as to a lamp shining in a dark place.” We need God’s lamp to enlighten and lead us through the dark places in our heart and the dark teachings of this world.
However, Peter says there will come a day when we won’t need that lamp. When Jesus returns on the Last Day, we will see Him in His unveiled glory forever and we will be glorified with Him. Until the day of Jesus’ return dawns, let us pay attention to the lamp God has given us in His Word!
“And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention 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 ESV)
is pastor of Berea Lutheran Church in Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota.