Daily Devotional | Shining Reliability

One day, Jesus took Peter, James, and John to the top of a mountain. There He was transfigured, shining with divine glory. He discussed His coming crucifixion with Moses and Elijah, and the three disciples heard God the Father approve of His Son. On the way down, Jesus instructed them not to talk about this incident until after His Resurrection (Mark 9:1–10).

In today’s reading, Peter cited this experience as evidence for the reliability of the gospel (vv. 16–18). His readers could trust him because he was an eyewitness. He and the other apostles did not invent “cleverly devised stories.” Our faith is rooted in historical events!

It’s also rooted in the Old Testament, including the prophets (vv. 19–21). Their messages were inspired by the Holy Spirit, not their own imaginations (2 Tim. 3:16). Scripture is therefore true and trustworthy, unlike false teachers (chapter 2) and worldly wisdom. God’s Word is a “light shining in a dark place” and Christ’s return will be like the coming of dawn into the darkness of history.

Part of Peter’s ministry was to remind his readers of truths they’d already learned, not necessarily to teach them anything new, so they would remain “firmly established in the truth” (vv. 12–15). Since he knew he’d die soon (v. 14), he was even more motivated toward this goal. Some scholars think, based on verse 15, that Peter was working with Mark on that Gospel at that very time for this very purpose. The metaphor “tent of this body” evokes the Exodus and God’s care for Israel in the wilderness on the way to the Promised Land (v. 13; see also 2 Cor. 5:1–10). In fact, the word “departure” (v. 15), indicating death, in Greek is exodos (“exodus”).

>> Christ had revealed to Peter that his time on earth was nearly done (v. 14). Although most of us do not know when our time will come, let’s rejoice with Peter that death is nothing to fear!