Monday 30 April, 2018

16 For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 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 We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, 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 of things. 21 For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

For something a little different, I decided to paraphrase these verses.

“Sorry all, I know I might sound like a broken record but I am going to tell you again, and this will not be the last time I tell you either… because this is a true story, I witnessed it myself, as did James and John. And it was mind blowing. It changed my whole perspective. In that moment when I saw Jesus in his radiant glory and I heard God honour him with words of such intimacy and honour “This is my Son who I love and with whom I am delighted” it was then and there, on the mountain, that I realised who He really was. Suddenly I understood the Promises of old. In Jesus, the Son of God, they were fulfilled. No longer were they fading hopes and long awaited for words. No, then at that moment I could see they were embodied in this glorious and radiant Jesus. And I knew that they were real and true, and He was real and true. Really and truely the Messiah, the promised one. I gained a new admiration for the scriptures, truely they are Holy Spirit inspired. Man is only the tool for the writing.”

Note: If you would like to see the original account of the event that Peter refers to in this passage it is recorded in Matt 17:5, Mark 9:7 & Luke 9:35 and is often referred to as the Transfiguration, as Jesus is shown/revealed in all his radiant glory.

Sometimes it’s easy to get familiar with the stories of Jesus the man and lose sight of the majesty of who he really is. My mind finds it hard to hold the picture of Jesus the one who is fully man and yet also fully God. But He is that, as this passage so powerfully reminds us.

Jesus please reveal yourself to me, as you did to Peter. May I see your radiant glory, and get lost in awe and wonder. May I truely honour you with all that I am. May I love your word with a new passion. Thank you that your word is the Holy Spirit inspired book that is accessible to me every day to reveal Jesus.

Written by Ps. Zoe Stewart