Mythology or Reality

1 Peter 1:16-21
16For 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. 17For 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,” 18we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain. 19And 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, 20knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. 21For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

Throughout the Gospels there are several instances where Peter, James, and John have a special place in Jesus’ story. They are set apart from the rest of the 12 Disciples and allowed to experience a few things the others did not. One of those events was the Transfiguration. (Matthew 17:1-13) It was there that the three of them witness a most spectacular and glorious meeting of Jesus, Moses, and Elijah along with some extraordinary commentary by God the Father.

Jesus chose His moments well and He quite intentionally brings Peter, James, and John along to see what He is about. For the people of that time, two witnesses were required to testify to any situation in a court of law. The testimony of only one person would not hold up under the weight of legal scrutiny. Jesus brings three witnesses. All of this is brought to bear now as Peter advances against those who claim he is the bearer of a myth when he talks about Jesus and His saving work. He has laid his own eyes on the glory and majesty of Jesus Christ and those images are forever burned in his mind and heart. Jesus was revealed as divine and Peter recognizes that His promise to return in power as the King of kings is real.

Imagine Peter awaiting his own death, bound and determined to leave with God’s people the truth of Jesus' work in their lives. He wants there to be no doubt about the glorious majesty of the Savior. I can only imagine how great was his desire that the new Church would embrace the truth that Jesus was True God – Peter had seen it with his own eyes. He speaks to us as well. Jesus is True God and the currently reigning King of all the Universe. All that has been said about Him in the Scriptures is true, as has been born out by witnesses. Since that is the case, the one remaining promise to be fulfilled, His Second Coming, will happen as well. We need not worry that this is a myth.

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